JuicyTalk
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes was named PFA players’ player of the year despite Arsenal’s first Premier League title win in 22 years.
Fernandes, 31, scored nine times and registered a new record 21 assists as United finished third under Michael Carrick.
He is the first United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
The men’s annual award, voted for by members of the players’ union, has now been won by United players 12 times, more than any other club in England and Wales.
Fernandes is the second Portuguese player to win the award after Cristiano Ronaldo won it twice in a row in 2007 and 2008.
“They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it’s probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment,” Fernandes said.
Manchester City full-back Nico O’Reilly was named young player of the year after his breakthrough season at the Etihad which ended with him starting for England at the World Cup.
Five Arsenal players made it into the team of the year after their title win – with Brentford striker Igor Thiago making the cut after his stunning season in front of goal.
Manchester City striker Bunny Shaw was named women’s player of the year after she scored 21 goals in 22 WSL appearances.
PFA Premier League Team of the Year
Goalkeeper: David Raya (Arsenal).
Defenders: Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Nico O’Reilly (Manchester City), William Saliba (Arsenal), Jurrien Timber (Arsenal).
Midfielders: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United), Declan Rice (Arsenal), Rayan Cherki (Manchester City).
Forwards: Erling Haaland (Manchester City), Antoine Semenyo (Manchester City), Igor Thiago (Brentford)
