The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) has officially unveiled its shortlist for the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award — and the inclusion of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has sparked plenty of debate across the football world.
This annual award, curated by the Professional Footballers’ Association, is voted for by fellow players in England and Wales. That peer recognition makes it one of the most respected individual honors in English football.
But how did Bruno Fernandes make the cut, especially after Manchester United’s dismal 2024/2025 season? We took a closer look at both team and individual performances to break down why Bruno still made the list.
The PFA Players’ Player of the Year Nominees
The six players nominated this season are:
- Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
- Alexis Mac Allister – Liverpool
- Bruno Fernandes – Manchester United
- Declan Rice – Arsenal
- Cole Palmer – Chelsea
- Alexander Isak – Newcastle United
Team Performance: Why Bruno’s Inclusion Wasn’t Based on United’s Form
If the PFA shortlist was based strictly on team success, Bruno Fernandes wouldn’t stand a chance.
Manchester United finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to win any silverware.
Here’s how each nominee’s team performed:
| Player | Club | EPL Position | Wins | Trophies | Goals Scored | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 1st | 25 | 1 | 86 | 14 | 41 |
| Alexis Mac Allister | Liverpool | 1st | 25 | 1 | 86 | 14 | 41 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Man United | 15th | 11 | 0 | 44 | 10 | 54 |
| Declan Rice | Arsenal | 2nd | 20 | 0 | 69 | 13 | 34 |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | 4th | 20 | 1 | 64 | 11 | 43 |
| Alexander Isak | Newcastle | 5th | 20 | 1 | 68 | 13 | 47 |
📝 Source: Premier League
In fact, based on team impact alone, Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze arguably had a stronger case for inclusion than Bruno Fernandes.
Individual Brilliance: Where Bruno Outshines the Competition
Despite Manchester United’s issues, Bruno’s individual output remains exceptional. His stats rival — and in many cases exceed — those of fellow attacking midfielders across the league.
Top Attacking Midfielders in the EPL – 2024/25 Season
| Player | Club | Goals | Assists | Big Chances Created | Penalties | Trophies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anthony Elanga | Nottm Forest | 6 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Bruno Fernandes | Man United | 8 | 10 | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| Morgan Rogers | Aston Villa | 8 | 10 | 16 | 0 | 0 |
| Eberechi Eze | Crystal Palace | 8 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| James Maddison | Tottenham | 9 | 7 | 6 | 0 | 1 |
| Morgan Gibbs-White | Nottm Forest | 7 | 8 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
📝 Source: Premier League
All Competitions: Bruno’s Total Goal Contributions Tell the Full Story
Bruno Fernandes’ consistency across all competitions is where he truly separates himself. When compared to other attacking midfielders, his overall numbers are elite:
| Player | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists | Trophies | EPL Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bruno Fernandes | Man United | 57 | 19 | 19 | 0 | 15th |
| James Maddison | Tottenham | 45 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 17th |
| Eberechi Eze | Crystal Palace | 43 | 14 | 11 | 1 | 12th |
| Morgan Rogers | Aston Villa | 54 | 14 | 15 | 0 | 6th |
📝 Source: Transfermarkt
Despite his team’s failures, Bruno’s 38 direct goal involvements highlight the reason his fellow professionals hold him in such high regard.
Final Thoughts: What Matters More — Team Success or Individual Brilliance?
This ongoing debate — team performance vs. individual brilliance — isn’t just a talking point in the Premier League.
It’s the same conversation surrounding the Ballon d’Or, where players like Cristiano Ronaldo, former player Franck Ribéry, Vinicius Junior, Rodri and Erling Haaland are some of the players lately caught up in the conversation of what should take priority between club success and personal statistics.
The PFA’s shortlist shows that players value individual impact as well, especially when a standout performer like Bruno Fernandes still manages to influence games week in, week out.
Bruno Fernandes may not have lifted silverware this season, but his attacking numbers speak volumes — and perhaps that’s exactly what the PFA Player of the Year award is about.
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