Bruno Fernandes wins Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year | OneFootball

Fernandes is United's first FWA award winner since 2010 [Getty Images]

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been rewarded for his tremendous form this season by being named Footballer of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association in England.

The Portugal man finished ahead of Arsenal captain Declan Rice and Manchester City striker Erling Haaland, with his performances in leading United to a 3rd place position this season helping him fend off competition from the key players in the Premier League title race.

The 31-year-old has been a revelation since moving to Old Trafford from Sporting during the winter transfer window in 2020, demonstrated by Fernandes winning the club's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year four times, which is a record. The Seleção man will almost certainly break that record this season when the club's award winners are announced later this month.

Fernandes’ pursuit of the all-time Premier League assists record of 20 has been a strong narrative in recent weeks, no doubt helping further establish himself in the minds of journalists ahead of voting. The former Sporting man has registered 27 goal involvements (19 assists, 8 goals) in the league this term.

Fernandes’ recognition comes in an award which has increasingly been dominated by players who have been part of title-winning teams, or at the very least teams fighting for the biggest team prize. Mohamed Salah is the only player in the last decade to win the award while not lifting the Premier League, while N’Golo Kante (2017) is the last winner who did not represent Manchester City or Liverpool.

Gareth Bale (2013) is the last player to receive the award for a club outside the top two positions. In a Manchester United context, the Red Devils had not provided a winner of the FWA award since Wayne Rooney was honoured in 2010 – a reflection of the club’s struggles since Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013.

With three matches left to play, Fernandes still hopes to challenge the Premier League assist record of 20, which is shared by Thierry Henry (2002-03) of Arsenal and Kevin de Bruyne (2019-20) of Manchester City. Currently on 19, Fernandes’ next chance to reach the 20-assist milestone comes with tomorrow’s trip to Sunderland.