Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City striker Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw have been named the 2025/26 Football Writers’ Association Footballers of the Year.
Fernandes earned the prestigious award after his impressive performances this season, with eight goals and 19 assists in the Premier League for United. Shaw is set to a third successive Women’s Super League (WSL) Golden Boot, with 19 goals in 21 appearances for City.
While this is Fernandes’s first award, it would be the second for Shaw, who won her first award during the 2023–24 season. Fernandes has also become the first player at Old Trafford to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2009/10. The 31-year-old joins the illustrious list of United players to secure the award, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Teddy Sheringham, Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, George Best, Bobby Charlton and Johnny Carey.
Fernandes is just one assist away from matching Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s record for most assists in a top-flight campaign (20). He has three remaining games to achieve this feat after helping United return to the Champions League.
Shaw won by a landslide after defeating Arsenal striker and last season’s winner Alessia Russo, and Chelsea forward Lauren James. The Jamaica international is reportedly set to leave City this summer, after talks to extend her contract at the Etihad Stadium broke down.
Chelsea, who have won the WSL title six times in a row, are reportedly favorites to sign Shaw on a free transfer. Her potential transfer deal could be up to £1m a year. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor has given no hints about Shaw, but confirmed in a recent press conference that the club is prioritizing signing a no. 9.
Speaking at a conference on Friday, City manager Andree Jeglertz said: “I still hope she’s signing a new contract with Manchester City, definitely, but that’s more of a discussion for the player and for people at the club. Right now, the most important thing is to enjoy our player, and she’s here to compete with us, and do everything she can.”
City will face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals on Sunday. The winner will play either either Liverpool or Brighton in the final at Wembley on 31 May.
