Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes was brilliant against Aston Villa yesterday
Bruno Fernandes’ odds of being named PFA Player of the Year have been slashed following another brilliant display against Aston Villa yesterday.
The Manchester United midfielder was the architect for two of the goals against Villa as the home team won 3-1 to take a grip on third place in the Premier League table.
His corner was headed in by Casemiro eight minutes into the second half before he slid through a brilliant ball for Matheus Cunha to score with 19 minutes to go.
Fernandes now has 16 assists in the top flight this season, surpassing David Beckham’s club record of 15, and has his sights set on trying to beat the all-time record of 20 in a single season held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne with eight games still to go.
Portugal international Fernandes was a 9/1 shot with William Hill to land the award at the beginning of March but has moved into 4/1 second favourite due to his brilliant recent form. If he’s successful, he will become the first United recipient since Wayne Rooney in 2010.
Fernandes trails Rice in the betting
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Bruno Fernandes’ sensational form for Manchester United continued against Aston Villa yesterday and the Portuguese midfielder is now a serious contender with us for the Player of the Year gong.
“We now make Bruno a 4/1 shot for the award – having been as high as 9/1 just two weeks ago – with only Declan Rice ahead of him in the market.
“It’s not just Rice who Bruno is making inroads on – Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s Premier League assist record is now under serious threat, and we make Bruno a 5/4 shot to pick up five more assists in United’s remaining eight fixtures.”
Contenders for PFA Player of the Year award
| Player | Odds |
| Declan Rice | 8/15 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 4/1 |
| Erling Haaland | 7/1 |
| Gabriel | 7/1 |
| Antoine Semenyo | 14/1 |
| BAR | 50/1 |
*Odds supplied by William Hill and correct as of 11am this morning
Of his performance against Villa, and beating Beckham’s record, Fernandes told MUTV: “I’m obviously very happy to do that.
”Like everyone in their own garden, I tried to do it like Beckham and was doing it. Even if you’re just swinging your arm, [I was doing it] like he used to do it.”
Most assists in the Premier League in a single season
| Player | No of Assists | Season |
| Thierry Henry (Arsenal) | 20 | 2002/03 |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | 20 | 2019/20 |
| Mesut Ozil (Arsenal) | 19 | 2015/16 |
| Cesc Fabregas (Chelsea) | 18 | 2014/15 |
| Frank Lampard (Chelsea) | 18 | 2004/05 |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | 18 | 2016/17 |
| Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) | 18 | 2024/25 |
| Cesc Fabregas (Arsenal) | 17 | 2007/08 |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | 16 | 2017/18 |
| Kevin De Bruyne (Man City) | 16 | 2022/23 |
| Eric Cantona (Leeds/Man Utd) | 16 | 1992/93 |
| Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) | 16 | 2025/26 |
