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Home Gary Lineker names United star as “player of the season”, he stunned Palace with his “great footballing brain”

Gary Lineker names United star as “player of the season”, he stunned Palace with his “great footballing brain”

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Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has been in inspired form since being reinstated in the attacking midfield role by caretaker manager Michael Carrick. The 31 year old’s future was subject to speculation before the start of the season, but he ended up staying at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese later revealed that he turned down a colossal offer to move to the Middle East, and fans will be thankful for that decision. Fernandes played the first half of the season in an unaccustomed pivot role alongside Casemiro, but still managed to pull the strings from deep.

He was one of the Red Devils’ rare shining lights under former head coach Ruben Amorim, whose troubled 14-month spell was brought to an end in January. Carrick was put in charge for the rest of the season, and the Englishman swiftly switched to a 4-2-3-1 formation and stationed Fernandes as the No. 10.

The decision has unleashed the United talisman, who has been in fiery form since returning from a hamstring injury at the turn of the year.

Leading Premier League’s assist charts

On Sunday, Fernandes ran the show at the Theatre of Dreams against Crystal Palace, scoring one goal and setting up Benjamin Sesko for the winner in a gritty 2-1 victory. It was the 18th time that he had scored and assisted in a single game, and only Wayne Rooney (35) and Ryan Giggs (22) have managed the feat on more occasions.

The veteran midfielder has now managed seven goals and 14 assists from 27 games in all competitions this season, all but one of which have been starts.

Bruno Fernandes Stats: 2025/26 Season

Competition	Appearances	Starts	Goals	Assists	Yellow Cards	Red Cards	Minutes Played
Premier League	25	25	7	13	3	–	2,168′
FA Cup	1	1	–	1	–	–	90′
EFL Cup	1	0	–	–	–	–	45′
Total	27	26	7	14	3	–	2,303′

Source: Transfermarkt.

He has registered the most assists in the Premier League this season and remains the favourite for the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award. The Portuguese will also have his sights on David Beckham’s record of 15 league assists in the 1999/00 season, which is the most by a United player in a single campaign.

Fernandes’ efforts this season have now earned him an admirer in England legend Gary Lineker.

Lineker hails Bruno’s football brain

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker hailed Fernandes as the player of the season. He said: “You see him on the left wing, you see him on the right wing… what a brain! I think he’s the player of the season for me. I know they’ll probably give it to someone that’s going to win something.”

“For me, it’s probably him or maybe Declan Rice if Arsenal go on and manage to clinch the title. I suppose the only other one, if he came back and started banging in all the goals and won City the title, it might be Erling Haaland again.”

“But at the moment, for me, to do what he’s done this season… and he was still the standout player even when they were going through a rotten spell when they were really struggling under Ruben Amorim. I think he’s got such a great footballing brain and technique. What a player, what a player!”

Final Thoughts

Fernandes’ contract expires in less than 18 months so United will also have a decision on their hands at the end of this season. While the Red Devils are likely to consider succession plans for the mercurial Portuguese, one assumes that his chapter at the Theatre of Dreams is far from over.