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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has secured a record fifth Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award after an exceptional individual campaign. The Portuguese playmaker has now surpassed the figures of club legends Cristiano Ronaldo and David de Gea, cementing his status as one of the most consistent players in the club’s modern history.
Red Devils captain honored
Fernandes has enjoyed a resurgent campaign under Michael Carrick, helping United secure a return to the Champions League despite exits from the domestic cup earlier in the season. The 31-year-old’s influential performances, including a notable 19 assists, have earned him the prestigious award for a record fifth time. This accolade puts him above his iconic former teammates De Gea and Ronaldo, reinforcing his status as a modern talisman at Old Trafford.
The Portuguese international has scored eight goals, but the statistics grabbing the headlines revolve around his immense creativity. Having created 124 chances this season, the fourth-most in a single Premier League campaign, Fernandes is on the verge of equaling the competition record.
Currently on 19 assists in the league, the United captain needs just one more to equal the milestone of 20 set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, with two domestic games left to potentially surpass that legendary figure.
Legacy among the greats
Since his arrival in 2020, Fernandes has consistently been the standout player at the club, first winning the award under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer before achieving a career-high 28 goals the following year. After Marcus Rashford and Ronaldo claimed the trophy in intervening seasons, Fernandes returned to the top of the fan vote in 2024 following FA Cup success at Wembley. With his latest victory, he becomes the second player, after De Gea, to complete a hat-trick of consecutive victories.
Record finish in sight
United conclude their season with a home game against Nottingham Forest this Sunday before traveling to Brighton a week later. These matches represent a vital opportunity for Fernandes to maintain his momentum and secure the record for individual assists following a fundamental change in the club’s fortunes. With the Champions League secured for next season, the captain remains the focal point for a team looking to build on their strong finish and prepare for a significant summer of development.
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 the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. All 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) and each match will be streamed live and on-demand on both FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches, 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, as will the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
