Bruno Fernandes has been crowned Footballer of the Year – the first Manchester United player to win the award from the Football Writers’ Association since Wayne Rooney in 2010.

The United captain has been recognised for his outstanding performances this season, not least in providing 19 assists to move within one of the Premier League record held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne with three games still to go.

Fernandes has also scored eight times for a total of 27 goal involvements, helping United to reach third place and secure qualification to next season’s Champions League.

The 31-year-old Portugal star was the only United player to be nominated, receiving 45 per cent of the vote from the FWA’s membership of more than 900 members.

A tight contest for the oldest individual award in football, which has been held since 1947, saw Fernandes just 28 votes ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice with Manchester City striker Erling Haaland in third. The Arsenal vote was split four ways between Rice, David Raya, Gabriel Magalhaes and Bukayo Saka.

The women’s award ended in a landslide victory for Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw, having led Manchester City to their first WSL title in a decade with 19 goals in 21 games.

Shaw, who will be out of contract at City this summer, has scored 110 goals in 133 appearances for the club since joining from Bordeaux in 2021.

The 29-year-old striker, who was voted Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2024, finished ahead of last year’s winner Alessia Russo, of Arsenal, and Chelsea’s Lauren James.

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.’