Gary Lineker has now admitted that Bruno Fernandes has been “brilliant” for Manchester United, despite highlighting one surprising detail from the midfielder’s 2025-26 season.
Bruno Fernandes’ influence became apparent in the second half of the campaign after Ruben Amorim was offloaded as Manchester United manager.
The 31-year-old Man Utd captain started to play in an advanced attacking position after Ruben Amorim was sacked, with Michael Carrick using him as a No 10.
Fernandes, who was playing in a deeper role under Amorim, has impressed since United legend Michael Carrick made his stunning return to Old Trafford in January.
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CONGRATULATIONS to Bruno Fernandes – The 2025/26 Football Writers Award Player of the Year… let us know your REACTION!
Can you name the last Man Utd player to win this specific award?
Gary Lineker reacts to Man Utd star Bruno Fernandes winning the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year award
Bruno Fernandes was crowned the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year winner for this season ahead of Declan Rice and Erling Haaland last week.
The Manchester United and Portugal star secured a whopping 45 per cent of the votes from those who were eligible to vote for the FWA Footballer of the Year.
When discussing Declan Rice being tipped for the Premier League Player of the Season award, Gary Lineker mentioned that Fernandes could once again challenge the Arsenal star.
“Who else would there be from them [to challenge for the award]? Declan Rice possibly has been… he’s so consistent,” Lineker said on The Rest Is Football podcast.
“Runs himself into the ground [and] has made a massive difference in so many games. And outside of that, what? Bruno, possibly.”
The ex-Barcelona and England striker also added that it was “quite unusual” to see Fernandes win the FWA Footballer of the Year amid the Premier League title race.
“He got Football Writers’, didn’t he?” Lineker continued.
“Bruno, is that right? And I think that was deserved. I think, you know, what he’s done, his consistency and the number of assists he’s had this season contributed a lot.
“It’s quite unusual [that] a player gets it that’s not one of the titles, at least, chasing teams.”
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Gary Lineker celebrates Bruno Fernandes’ award win after his impactful Premier League season in recent months
Fernandes has managed 11 Premier League assists in Michael Carrick’s 15 Premier League matches in charge in the post-Ruben Amorim era of the Red Devils.
Lineker celebrated Fernandes being crowned FWA Footballer of the Year and hailed the impact that the Red Devils skipper has had on Man Utd’s 2025-26 campaign.
“But so, you know, congratulations to Bruno Fernandes for that,” he added.
“He’s been brilliant this season, no question. But I wonder when it comes to the players voting for their own, I wonder what they’ll do.”
Fernandes has 19 Premier League assists overall from 33 matches in the current season, with the Portugal international netting eight times in the league as well.
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