Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes was named the Premier League player of the season on Saturday after guiding his club to a third-place finish and Champions League qualification. The 31-year-old Portugal international was also named the Football Writers' Association men's player of the year earlier this month and picked up the club's Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year honor for the fifth time.
Fernandes emerged as the league's best playmaker this season, creating a league-high 132 chances, while Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai created 89. He scored eight goals and was nominated for player of the season alongside Erling Haaland, Antoine Semenyo, Gabriel, David Raya, Declan Rice, Morgan Gibbs-White, and Igor Thiago.
Entering the final game of the campaign, Fernandes had tied the Premier League's single-season assists record of 20, a mark jointly held by former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry and former Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne.
Fernandes broke the record during Manchester United's 3-0 victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday. In the 32nd minute, he provided his 21st assist of the season with a corner delivery headed home by Patrick Dorgu to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.