Manchester claims English soccer's players of the year

Fernandes
Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been voted England's men's footballer of the year. -EPA

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been named the Football Writers' Association men's player of the ‌year, while Manchester ‌City forward Khadija "Bunny" Shaw has claimed the women's award for the second time.

Portuguese star Fernandes has been rewarded with the most prestigious individual award in the English men's game after a stand-out season in which his 19 assists ‌and eight goals helped United back into the Champions League.

He's only one assist short of the Premier League record jointly held ‌by Thierry ‌Henry ⁠and Kevin De Bruyne, with three matches still remaining.

The ​31-year-old midfielder beat runner-up Declan Rice of Arsenal by 28 votes, with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland third.

Fernandes is the first United player to win the award since Wayne ⁠Rooney in 2010.

United, inspired by ‌a ​rejuvenated Fernandes, and interim manager Michael Carrick, have flown up ​the Premier League ‌standings to third spot and are already assured of ​a return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence.

Jamaican striker Shaw, who previously took the award ​in ​2024, has led City ​to their first Women's Super ‌League (WSL) title in 10 years.

Shaw has netted 19 goals in 21 games, on track to win the Golden Boot for a third successive season, and was a landslide winner of the ​vote ahead of last year's victor, Arsenal's Alessia Russo. ​

Chelsea's Lauren James ⁠finished third in the vote.