BRUNO FERNANDES CLAIMS PFA PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRIZE AS MAN CITY FORWARD BUNNY SHAW WINS WOMEN'S AWARD

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has been named the 2025-26 PFA Players' Player of the Year after breaking the Premier League assists record. Meanwhile, Manchester City striker Bunny Shaw secured the women's prize for the second time, and Nico O'Reilly won the Young Player award on a memorable night that celebrated the outstanding performers of the season.

Record-breaking season for Fernandes

Fernandes was crowned the men's PFA Players' Player of the Year following an incredible individual campaign for Manchester United, as reported by Sky Sports.

He broke the all-time record for Premier League assists, setting up 21 goals to surpass Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He also scored nine times to help Manchester United secure a third-place finish and earn a return to the Champions League under manager Michael Carrick.

Consequently, Fernandes is the first Manchester United player to win the prestigious trophy since Wayne Rooney in the 2009-10 season, adding this prize to the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year award he won in May.

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Pride in peer recognition

Reacting to the achievement, Fernandes expressed his delight at being recognised by his fellow professionals across the division. Fernandes said: "It is obviously a very proud moment. They are the ones you go on the pitch against and it's probably not easy to vote for someone you play against, so it is a very good moment."

In the women's game, Shaw scooped the PFA Women's Player of the Year award for the second time, claiming the trophy after scoring 21 goals to win a third straight Golden Boot and her first Women's Super League title with Manchester City.

Youth stars and merit awards

O'Reilly was named the Men's PFA Young Player of the Year after an outstanding campaign that saw him help England win World Cup bronze. O'Reilly said: "I had a great season. I'm very proud of the season I had. I won two trophies with my club and managed to play at the World Cup with my country. I'm over the moon how it turned out."

Meanwhile, Arsenal prospect Olivia Smith picked up the women's PFA Young Player of the Year title for the second consecutive campaign. Elsewhere, Sir Kenny Dalglish and Karen Carney received the PFA merit awards for their outstanding lifetime contributions to football.

AFP

What comes next for the winners?

Manchester United have a busy schedule ahead as Fernandes prepares to lead his team in their highly anticipated Champions League return. Manchester City and Shaw will focus on defending their Women's Super League crown when the new season kicks off.

- Moataz Elgammal

HISTORY MAKERS: ARSENAL WOMEN WIN FIRST-EVER FIFA WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP CUP

Arsenal Women have written another historic chapter after becoming the first-ever winners of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, following a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Corinthians at Arsenal Stadium.

In a gripping contest between two continental giants, goals from Olivia Smith and Lotte Wubben-Moy twice put the Gunners ahead, only for the Brazilian champions to respond on both occasions. With the score level after 90 minutes, it took extra time for the decisive moment to arrive, as Caitlin Foord struck in the 104th minute to secure victory and add another landmark trophy to Arsenal Women’s illustrious history.

A final worthy of history

The match itself was a fitting showcase for the inaugural edition of the competition. Arsenal controlled long spells of possession and showed composure on the ball, but Corinthians proved resilient, organised and dangerous on the break.

Olivia Smith opened the scoring with a composed finish, setting the tone early, while Lotte Wubben-Moy’s goal later in the contest reflected Arsenal’s aerial strength and attacking intent. Each time Arsenal took the lead, Corinthians responded with determination, forcing the game into extra time.

When the pressure was at its highest, Caitlin Foord delivered. Her well-taken goal midway through the additional period finally broke the deadlock and ensured Arsenal would lift the first FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, sealing a victory built on persistence, quality and belief.

Frida Maanum was awarded the Player of the Tournament, receiving her award from Arsene Wenger.

(Photo by Jasper Wax/Getty Images)

Arsenal Women set the global benchmark

This latest triumph further underlines Arsenal Women’s unique status in the game. They remain the only English side to have won Europe’s premier club competition, first achieving the feat in 2007 during a historic Treble-winning campaign.

That achievement was matched again in 2025, when Arsenal defeated Barcelona 1-0 in the final in Lisbon to lift the Women’s Champions League for a second time. Domestically, no club can match Arsenal’s record haul of 15 league titles, 14 FA Cups and seven League Cups.

Now, by becoming the inaugural winners of the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup, Arsenal have once again set a new benchmark, reinforcing their place as pioneers and standard-bearers in women’s football.

Is this the greatest era yet for Arsenal Women, and where does this historic triumph rank among the club’s greatest achievements?

- Michelle M