Bruno Fernandes and Khadija Shaw Named FWA Footballers of the Year

Bruno Fernandes was awarded the Football Writers’ Association men’s Player of the Year on Friday after delivering several strong performances for Manchester United this season. The club captain played an important role in helping his side qualify for the Champions League again. In the women’s category, Manchester City striker Khadija “Bunny” Shaw won the award for the second time in her career.

Fernandes has scored eight league goals and registered 19 assists so far this season. He is now just one assist away from matching the Premier League record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, with three games still remaining.

The talented Portuguese midfielder finished ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice by 28 votes, while Manchester City striker Erling Haaland came third in the voting. Fernandes also became the first Manchester United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney achieved the feat in 2010.

Manchester United have climbed to third place in the Premier League under interim manager Michael Carrick, with Bruno Fernandes playing a major role in the team’s improvement. The club has also confirmed its return to the Champions League next season after missing out for the past two years.

Manchester United have been in good form, winning 10 of their last 14 games since Michael Carrick stepped in as interim boss in January, following Ruben Amorim’s departure.

For the women’s award, Jamaica forward Khadija Shaw, who also won it in 2024, has been a key figure in Manchester City’s first Women’s Super League title in 10 years.

Shaw has scored 19 times in 21 appearances and is close to winning the Golden Boot for the third straight season. She won the vote by a wide margin, finishing ahead of Arsenal’s Alessia Russo, last year’s winner, while Chelsea’s Lauren James took third place.