NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named Premier League player of the season after a historic individual campaign. The veteran midfielder won the prestigious honor ahead of several Arsenal stars, while Nico O’Reilly, a graduate of Manchester City’s all-round academy, took home the Young Player of the Season award.
Red Devils skipper creates history
Fernandes earned his first Premier League player of the season honor after guiding United to the Champions League. The 31-year-old playmaker has enjoyed a stunning creative campaign, scoring eight goals in the top-flight and equaling the all-time single-season record of 20 assists. Conquering a star-studded roster, the Portugal international became the seventh different Old Trafford representative to win the award, and the first since Nemanja Vidic in 2011.
All-time attendance record tied
The seasoned talisman’s exceptional statistical output has seen him emulate legendary top-flight creators Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in reaching the 20 assists milestone. This latest administrative triumph follows his recent crowning as FWA Footballer of the Year. Fernandes won the individual award against Arsenal’s formidable trio David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes and Declan Rice, alongside Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Morgan Gibbs-White and Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
City Prodigy Lands Youth Prize
Meanwhile, City starlet O’Reilly capped a sensational year under Pep Guardiola by winning the young player of the season award. The 21-year-old academy graduate has established himself as an indispensable tactical asset, recording 34 senior appearances across a number of positions including left back and central midfielder. O’Reilly beat out contemporary nominees including Rayan Cherki, Eli Junior Kroupi, Mateus Fernandes, Lewis Hall, Michael Kayode, Kobbie Mainoo and Alex Scott.
World Cup tests loom
O’Reilly must now move quickly from local domestic success to the highest level of international football after securing a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup. The young all-rounder comes into the tournament in fine form following Wembley victories in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup finals.
Conversely, Fernandes is focused on the World Cup and his leadership role with Portugal, while Michael Carrick and Manchester United look to take care of business in the transfer window.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 tournament games will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34), with each game streaming live and on demand on FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be streamed for free on Tubi, along with the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
Report by GOAL.
