Full Breakdown
FWA Awards Crown Fernandes and Shaw as 2025/26 Footballers of the Year
5/9/2026, 10:43:35 PM
Core Event: Fernandes and Shaw Win FWA Honors
The Football Writers’ Association announced Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United as the men’s Footballer of the Year and Khadija “Bunny” Shaw of Manchester City as the Women’s Footballer of the Year for the 2025/26 season. Fernandes recorded eight Premier League goals and 19 assists, one assist short of the joint record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. Shaw scored 19 goals and added four assists in 21 Women’s Super League (WSL) appearances, driving City to their first league title in a decade.
Background & Context: Recent Club Successes and Historical Significance
Fernandes is the first United player to win the award since Wayne Rooney in 2009/10, joining a list that includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and George Best. Shaw’s victory marks her second consecutive FWA Women’s award, following a 2023/24 win that saw her net 21 goals as City finished second. City’s 2025/26 title ends a ten-year drought, while United’s campaign secured a return to the Champions League after two seasons out.
Data & Statistics: Performance Metrics that Secured the Awards
- Fernandes: 19 assists, eight goals, 120 created chances (Opta), 1 assist needed to equal the 20-assist record.
- Shaw: 19 goals (?33 % of City’s 58 league goals), four assists, 115 shots (49 on target), 43 headed attempts, expected assists (xA) 5.30 – the highest among WSL strikers, joint-fifth for total assists.
- Career totals: Shaw has 110 goals in 133 appearances for City since joining from Bordeaux in 2021.
Official Statements & Responses
Manchester United manager Michael Carrick praised Fernandes for his influence on United’s resurgence and highlighted his leadership role. FWA chair John Cross described Shaw as a “worthy winner” whose standards have been “remarkable.” The FWA itself affirmed that Fernandes “deserves the Player of the Year.” Both clubs acknowledged the awards as reflections of the players’ contributions to recent successes.
Criticism & Opposition
Some commentators continue to question Fernandes’s leadership, citing “customary abuse at away grounds” and former players who doubt his impact. The FWA’s decision, however, counters those critiques by emphasizing his statistical output and role in United’s Champions League qualification.
Why It Matters: Implications for Club Futures
Fernandes’s creative output was pivotal in United’s climb to a Champions League spot, while Shaw’s goal share was essential to City’s title. Shaw’s pending contract expiry, with reports of a £1 million-per-year Chelsea offer, signals a potential rebuilding phase for City’s attack. Fernandes’s remaining three league matches present an opportunity to tie the assist record, further enhancing his market value.
Verbatim Quotes
- “FWA chair John Cross described Shaw as a ‘worthy winner’ and said the standards she has set have been ‘remarkable’.” — John Cross, FWA chair
- “Chelsea are said to be ready to offer Shaw a deal worth around £1m per year, while other major clubs have also been linked.” — Anonymous source
What’s Next: Upcoming Developments
Shaw is expected to leave City when her contract ends in summer, with Chelsea identified as a leading contender. Fernandes has three league fixtures remaining, giving him a chance to equal the 20-assist benchmark and further cement his standing ahead of the next season.
