Fernandes: Lots of players deserve it

Bruno Fernandes first claimed the trophy after playing just 22 games for the Reds, such was his impact on our 2019/20 season, after arriving from Sporting Club.

His first full campaign was even better. Bruno was inspirational under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and racked up an incredible 28 goals and 17 assists to win the fan vote by a mile at the end of 2020/21.

After another influential season, Fernandes must be considered a candidate to win the award for a third time, a privilege only ever afforded to two Reds – Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea, who have both won four times – since it was launched in 1988.

As well as Bruno, who has continued his role as United’s creative heartbeat, Marcus Rashford has borne the brunt of the goalscoring responsibility, netting a career-best 29 goals.

Summer arrivals Casemiro and Lisandro Martinez have also proved indispensable in our marathon season, which could still end with a top-four finish and two pieces of silverware.

There are bound to be other contenders too after a positive year and, although he's focused on finishing the term strongly for now, Fernandes believes competition will be fierce to win the supporters’ poll.

“You know, it's a special trophy,” Bruno told us recently at Carrington. “I have two at home, that I'm very proud to have, and it's a trophy that is different and it's really nice.

“The competition is high because we play for Manchester United. So, you know, there's a lot of players that want it and did a lot during this season to deserve that trophy.

“But I'm more worried about now, to get in the top four and the big trophy that we have until the end of the season, that is the FA Cup.

“Whoever takes it [the Sir Matt Busby trophy], it will be well deserved because I think we had many players who had a great season, so I think the fans will vote for the one they think had the better season [and were] doing it all year.”