Bruno Fernandes has enjoyed a season of individual recognition even as major silverware has eluded Manchester United. On Friday he was named the Football Writers' Association footballer of the year — a prestigious accolade that caps a campaign in which the United captain has created 29 "big chances" and sits one assist away from equalling the Premier League single-season record of 20.
A mixed trophy return
Since arriving at Old Trafford in 2020 Fernandes has not won the Premier League or Champions League. He did lift a pair of domestic cups under Erik ten Hag, and finishing third this season would be only the second time United have placed that highly in his time at the club. For a player many regard as United's best signing since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, those team honours feel meagre compared with his consistently high individual output.
Individual honours, but not obsessed by them
Fernandes has repeatedly stressed that trophies matter more to him than personal awards. He told reporters in October that he does not equate a player's quality purely with the number of trophies they have won and that he wants to be remembered for what he brings to the club beyond statistics. St
