- Manchester United extend lead in Player of the Season awards
- Bruno Fernandes pipped Declan Rice to award
- Joins elite list of Reds legends to have won the accolade
When it comes to individual dominance in the modern era of the Premier League, Manchester United have predominantly been the blueprint for success.
That may have changed course over the last 13 years, but there is a precautious feeling among fans that the good times may be coming back.
Following Bruno Fernandes’ award-winning campaign as the Premier League Player of the Season (POTS), the Reds have once again stamped their dominance over other teams in a unique way.
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Fernandes Adds to United Record
By winning the POTS award, Fernandes became the first Manchester United player to win the league award since Nemanja Vidic in 2010/11. The club’s historic dominance in this category began in 1995/96 when Peter Schmeichel became the only goalkeeper in Premier League history to win the award.
Since then, the mantle has been carried by goal scorers like Dwight Yorke (1998/99), Ruud van Nistelrooy (2002/03) and Wayne Rooney (2009/10). The only Red Devils player to have won the award on multiple occasions was Cristiano Ronaldo (2006/07 & 2007/08).
Bruno’s crowning joins him with an elite list of stars who have been remembered fondly in the years that have preceded. By doing so, it also extends United’s lead in winning the POTS award to three. The second-most is Manchester City, who have dominated, winning the award between 2011 and 2024 on six different occasions.
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Record Must be Stepping Stone to League Title
Extending the lead at the top of the all-time POTS table is a wonderfully niche milestone for the club. At United though, individual accolades are meant to be stepping stones for greater things. Fans have waited too long for the Reds to get back on their perch. The hope is that Fernandes’s individual brilliance has signalled the start of a giant awakening.
It has been a trophyless year for Michael Carrick‘s side this season. There was not much left to play for by the time that the United head coach came to the helm after Ruben Amorim’s sacking.
Fortunately, the trajectory looks incredibly promising after finishing in third place this season. Ever since Carrick took the reins, the identity of the club has been restored with good effect.
With Champions League football safely secured and Carrick’s future secured, it is now up to the hierarchy to back their man in the transfer market and propel the club back into the place where they belong.
