Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has revealed that he voted for an Arsenal player to win the Professional Footballers’ Association Players’ Player of the Year award before he went on to claim the prize himself.

Fernandes made the revelation after being named the men’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year at the awards ceremony in Manchester on Tuesday, following a record-breaking 2025/26 campaign.

This was according to a video interview shared by the PFA on its official X handle on Tuesday night.

The award was voted for by fellow professional footballers, making Fernandes’ victory a recognition from the players he competes against in the Premier League.

Asked who he voted for, Fernandes said he had selected an Arsenal player but declined to reveal the identity.

“I vote for some Arsenal player. I won’t say it was, but I vote for some Arsenal player,” Fernandes said.

Fernandes, who broke the Premier League single-season assist record with 21 assists last season, said being recognised by fellow players made the award particularly special.

“I think it’s very special. Obviously, you know, when you’re voted by the people that you go against every time and they have to choose one that’s not from their team, it makes it very special for everyone,” he said.

“And I think whoever gets the hands on this trophy should be very proud of it.”

The Manchester United captain said his individual form, including his record-breaking creativity, had come from maintaining belief through the highs and lows of his career.

“I think it’s not disbelief. And you have to believe in yourself all the time to understand that it’s going to be moments that will be ups and downs in your career,” Fernandes said.

“So you just have to stick with the moments that you know you are capable of doing different things and keep doing your job.”

Fernandes’ 21 assists surpassed the previous Premier League record of 20 jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. He also scored nine goals as United recovered from a difficult start to finish third and secure Champions League football for the new season.

Speaking about United’s return to Europe’s elite competition, Fernandes said the club owed its supporters a strong showing.

“No, obviously we know that we have a history in that competition and obviously for the club it’s something important, for the fans even more,” he said.

“And we want to give something back to the fans and I think being in that competition is the least we can do to give to them.”

Fernandes also acknowledged that United have work to do after a difficult start to the new campaign, saying the team was determined to improve on last season.

“Obviously we want to make better than we did last season that’s our aim and obviously we didn’t start the way we wanted but we’ve got to give a good response already on Sunday in our home in front of our fans and hopefully we’re going to make it,” he said.

Asked about Arsenal, whose players made up half of the six-man shortlist for the men’s award, Fernandes praised Mikel Arteta’s side for their performances last season. The shortlist also featured Arsenal’s Declan Rice, David Raya and Gabriel Magalhães, alongside Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki.

“They were amazing. They were very, very strong, very difficult to play against,” Fernandes said of Arsenal.

“A team that was very successful, not just in the Premier League, but also in the European competitions.”

“Getting into that Champions League final was something that was amazing from them, keeping themselves in the competition till so late. It’s something that they need to be very proud of and I think they deserve all the respect that all the Premier League has to give to them.”

Fernandes also reflected on the significance of his record-breaking 21 assists.

Asked whether he expected the record to be broken anytime soon, he replied: “I think so, I think so. And one of the players in the top six could make it.”

The PFA award capped a season in which Fernandes was also recognised by the Football Writers’ Association, while his record of 21 Premier League assists established a new mark in the competition’s 34-year history.