FWA hand Bruno Fernandes top honour as Manchester United star eyes historic campaign | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Khadija Shaw named women’s player of the year as

The Football Writers Association (FWA) have named Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes their men’s footballer of the year, with Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw picking up the top honour in the women’s category.

Fernandes is closing in on a historic campaign as he looks to break the record for most assists in a Premier League season. He has 19 to his name with three matches left to play, one adrift of equalling the record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne.

He has led this United team through a turbulent campaign, which began in terrible fashion under Ruben Amorim’s premiership but has seen a marked uptick since he was sacked and replaced by Michael Carrick.

Fernandes has also contributed eight league goals this season as United confirmed their return to the Champions League with a handful of games to spare.

Declan Rice finished as runner-up to Fernandes, despite playing a vital role in an imperious Arsenal side, with Erling Haaland third.

Fernandes, 31, joined United from Sporting CP in 2020 and made his 300th Premier League appearance this season. He turned down eye-watering offers last summer from clubs in Saudi Arabia, namely Al Hilal, but chose to remain at Old Trafford in spite of the club’s troubles.

Shaw, meanwhile, has starred for Man City as they clinched their first WSL title since 2016. She picks up the award for the second time, having also picked it up in 2023-24.

The Jamaica international leads the WSL golden boot race having found the back of the net 19 times this campaign, but looks set to leave the club upon the expiration of her contract this summer. Chelsea are the leading contenders to sign her as a free agent.