Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has embarrassed Roy Keane again

Where would Manchester United have been without Bruno Fernandes last season?

For all the negativity that was created by United's worst season in 51 years in the 2024/25 campaign, Fernandes was a ray of positivity.

Despite starting the season relatively slowly and not showing his best levels until after Christmas, he still managed to end the season with an impressive 19 goals to his name. He also chalked up 18 assists to finish the campaign with 37 direct goal contributions in 57 games.

For a side that finished 15th in the Premier League and failed to win a trophy, it was an impressive haul. And it is why the United captain has been shortlisted for the Professional Footballers' Association [PFA] Players' Player of the Year award.

He is one of six players to have been shortlisted alongside Liverpool duo Mohamed Salah and Alexis Mac Allister, Newcastle United striker Alexander Isak, Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice and Chelsea starlet Cole Palmer.

Fernandes is the only player on the shortlist who will not be playing in the Champions League next season. In fact, if he stays at Old Trafford this summer, he will not be playing in Europe at all in 2025/26.

When United needed someone to step forward and take responsibility in dark and testing times last season, Fernandes often obliged, taking it upon himself to get his teammates out of trouble.

His form between late-February and mid-April was particularly impressive. His goals and assists in the league alone earned United eight points within that period.

Back in March, United chief executive Omar Berrada opened up on United's recruitment plans for the summer and said no player will be sold this summer for financial purposes. Amid talk of Al-Hilal being prepared to pay £100million