Manchester United’s Player Of The Year Is Bruno Fernandes

At the end of last season Manchester United were spoilt for choice when he came to anointing their player of the year.

In the end, it was Marcus Rashford who earned the title and the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, after scoring a career-high 30 goals to help United finish third in the Premier League and win the Carabao Cup.

Rashford faced strong competition from a host of other players, including two new signings, Lisandro Martinez and Casemiro, who bolstered United with their calm and composed presence in defence and midfield, as well as Luke Shaw, who enjoyed a another brilliant season at left-back.

In contrast a year later, as we approach the end of this season, the shortlist of candidates to succeed Rashford is looking alarming small.

For several months the consensus was Diogo Dalot had been United’s best player, and though the Portuguese international has been in exceptional form, cementing his position in the side with a succession of impressive performances, it would also be emblematic of this struggling side if the award was to be won by a right-back.

But in recent weeks Dalot’s claims have been overtaken by his international team-mate Bruno Fernandes, who has scored seven goals in his last six Premier League games, and proven himself to be United’s most influential player this season.

Amid a disappointing season, which has seen United fall out of the Champions League at the group stage, and throw away their chance to return to the competition next season by sliding down the table, where they are likely to finish sixth or seventh, Fernandes has been a beacon, providing leadership, assists and goals.

The playmaker might spilt opinion, and often attracts the ire of opposition fans, but it is obvious he has stopped United enduring an even worse season, and made it possible that they could even finish with a trophy.

It is difficult to imagine this United side without Fernandes, partly because he has an incredible record and plays in virtually every game, but mainly because he always offers something; a spark of genius, a defence-splitting pass or a crucial goal.

After scoring two goals in United’s 4-2 victory over Sheffield United on Wednesday, Fernandes become the club’s leading scorer with a total of 15 goals this season.

These have included a match-winning penalty against Nottingham Forest, a superbly struck volley to defeat Burnley, a dramatic last minute winner against Fulham, a strike from near the halfway line against Liverpool, and a crucial goal against Coventry City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley last weekend.

Fernandes also has a healthy amount of assists, 11 in all competitions, to give him a total of 26 goal contributions this season, which is greater than Martin Odegaard (20), Kevin De Bruyne (19), Bernardo Silva (16) and James Maddison (11).

And in contrast to all his competitors Fernandes has done it in a struggling side on course for possibly their worst ever Premier League season.

Fernandes is not without his faults; he can be rash, and petulant, and often tries to do too much, and be everywhere on the pitch, but there is a reason the United manager Erik ten Hag made him his captain this season.

He remains a leader on the pitch, who does not shirk responsibility and refuses to give up, constantly imploring his team-mates to keep going in games.

“He showed his leadership in this game, but also with his energy, his transition both ways is very important and he always tries to encourage the team,” Ten Hag said this week after the win over Sheffield United. “He is doing very well and we are very pleased with his performances and his attitude.”

On Wednesday night at Old Trafford, Fernandes showed these leadership skills when he pulled aside United’s 18-year-old striker Ethan Wheatley, who was making his first team debut as a substitute, and said, “I’ve got nine minutes to get you a goal.” Alas, it didn’t happen, but it showed how Fernandes can be a selfless player and want the best for the team.

It is just one of the many reasons why Fernandes deserves to be United’s Player of the Year for the third time since he arrived at Old Trafford in 2020.