Bruno Fernandes wins FWA Footballer of the Year: Man Utd captain’s assists and creativity set him apart from the rest

Declan Rice could power Arsenal over the line to a historic title win. There is still time for Erling Haaland to fire Manchester City there. But Bruno Fernandes’ case has already been made. He has been the exceptional player in the Premier League this season.

With 19 assists already in the competition, the Manchester United captain is one shy of the record set by Thierry Henry and equalled by Kevin De Bruyne. Whether he surpasses them or not, his creativity in this campaign has been on another level to everyone else.

Fernandes has created 120 chances this season, according to Opta. He topped the Premier League charts in all but one of his previous five complete seasons at United - one behind Trent Alexander-Arnold in the other - but this is already his highest total.

For context, it is almost double the number of chances created by the second man on the list. And while his ability to make things happen from set-pieces is a feature of his game - and of this season - he has created more in open play than anyone else in total.

It has been a year in which he has dealt with now familiar upheaval. Ruben Amorim was sacked in January with Champions League qualification in doubt. Under his compatriot, Fernandes was often deployed in a deeper role but still managed to impress from there.

Moved back to his favoured position under Michael Carrick, he has flourished. Indeed, he has been involved in more goals than anyone else in the Premier League since mid-January, scoring and creating all kinds of different goals for a team that is rejuvenated.

Some personal favourites? Being there at Turf Moor for his angled through-ball to Benjamin Sesko. The breakaway against Manchester City and his disguised pass to Bryan Mbeumo when the eyes suggested that he would spread the ball wide to Amad Diallo.

There was the dummy that did for Calvin Bassey out on the right wing before feeding the ball to Sesko for the stoppage-time winner in that dramatic game against Fulham. And how about the first-time pass through to Matheus Cunha in the win against Aston Villa.

These were not so much runs that demand the pass but passes that demanded the run. He has made more chipped passes than anyone else, attempted 50 per cent more through-balls. It requires the imagination to see it and the sheer chutzpah to try to pull it off.

Asked what has been the key to his fine form, Carrick said: "I think giving Bruno the platform to go and perform. Like all the players, I think we are trying to create the structure and a team set-up, really, to try to bring out the best of everyone within that."

By putting Fernandes "in a position where we think he can make the biggest difference" trust has been rewarded. United top the table during Carrick's time in charge, securing a Champions League return. No team has improved their position more than United this season.

There will be critics even now. The customary abuse at away grounds. Former players who question him. But any suggestion that Fernandes lacks leadership qualities should have been dismissed long ago. He has been a victim of United's malaise not the cause.

Like Bryan Robson before him, Fernandes has been a shining light in an awkward period in the club's history. But his own standards have remained. Both the supporters and his team-mates appreciate that. "I feel like he deserves so much," said Cunha recently.

"He helps everyone. I think he is a beautiful captain for the club. He passed through hard moments and he deserves to have these beautiful moments also. What a player, what a guy. He deserves the Player of the Year." The Football Writers' Association agree.