Manchester United captain, Bruno Fernandes, has won the Football Writers’ Association’s Men’s Footballer of the Year award.
The Portugal international has scored eight goals and provided 20 assists in 34 games across all competitions for the Red Devils this season.
The 31-year-old received 45 per cent of the vote from the FWA’s membership of more than 900 members.
“This means everything,” Fernandes said at the FWA dinner in London. “This has been the best season of my life.”
United are on course to finish third in the Premier League and secure a place in next season’s Champions League.
Fernandes is the first United player to win the FWA men’s award since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
He edged out Arsenal’s Declan Rice and Manchester City’s Erling Haaland to win the award.
The 31-year-old joined United from Portuguese club Sporting in January 2020 for £67.7m and clocked up his 300th appearance for the club earlier this season.
The women’s award went to Manchester City’s Khadija “Bunny” Shaw, who claimed the FWA Women’s Footballer of the Year prize for the second time.
The winners will be presented with their awards at the annual Footballer of the Year dinner in London on May 19.
FWA chair John Cross said: ‘Both players have been so influential in their team’s performances this season. They are also such great examples and role models in the game.
‘Bruno is on course to break records and has thrilled us with his skill. Bunny is such a worthy winner. She is a fabulous person and an outstanding choice and player.’