For the fifth time, Bruno Fernandes was awarded the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award at Manchester United, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo and David De Gea, who both received the honor four times.
He was also awarded the Players' Player of the Year and for good measure, the 31-year-old's status as a United player is beyond doubt, following yet another individual season at Old Trafford.
In another world, he might have sought the Saudi riches last summer, amid a flurry of interest from Al Hilal, but thankfully, the captain was front and centre, a regular in Michael Carrick's resurgent side.
At a time when truly successful signings in Manchester can almost be counted on one side, Fernandes bucks the trend, showing the way ahead of another seismic summer for the club and INEOS.
Carrick's contract could spark Man Utd's £80m move
Things seem to be looking up at Old Trafford, with The Athletic's Laurie Whitwell revealing that Carrick will be offered a two-year deal, as supported by Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week.
Appointed on a temporary basis in January, the England international has guided United into the Champions League final, now close to third place – a huge improvement on last season's worst Premier League campaign.
Securing Carrick's future could also help start the process when it comes to transfers, with the 44-year-old likely to have a key say in the summer transfer window.
Indeed, as journalist Ben Jacobs pointed out – speaking to the United Stand – Morgan Rogers' move to Aston Villa now “must be looked at”, following the move to appoint Carrick.
As Jacobs noted, Carrick “likes” Rogers, following their time together at Middlesbrough, and his imminent appointment “increases the chances” of a move being considered “very important”.
The only major sticking point is likely to be the asking price, with Jacobs adding that Villa are likely to want at least £80m.
Why Rogers could be Man Utd's best signing since Fernandes
There have been many signings since Fernandes arrived in January 2020, with very few success stories.
Man Utd's most expensive signing ever
Most of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
Arguably too soon to judge the 2025 crop, the most fruitful deal of the last six years would be Casemiro, considering his influence again this season, although that £70m transfer fee remains a bone of contention.
Not many have been able to hit the ground running and back it up, as Fernandes has, although Rogers can't break the habit, having been a formidable right-back at Villa Park.
At just 23 years of age, the England international has been a key part of Villa's run to the Europa League final this season, and their push for the top five, having scored 22 goals in all competitions so far.
This follows a haul of 30 goals in 2024/25, with Rogers reaching double figures in both goals and assists in each of the last two campaigns.
Like Fernandes then, he is a creator and goalscorer in his own right, memorably firing home almost two identical efforts as his side beat United 2-1 in December.
Operating as a number ten or on the left, the powerhouse talent is a difficult player to contain, often seen driving Unai Emery's men forward in the final third.
In the Premier League alone this season, for example, he has scored 14 goals and assists, while also creating 11 'big chances' – the best of any player in Villa's squad.
Joint-top at Villa Park for league assists and second for goals, Rogers is crucial to all that is good about Emery's side, now that Fernandes is back at Old Trafford.
The recipient of the PFA Young Player of the Year award last term, he is now “one of the best players in England” in the view of former team-mate Nicolo Zaniolo, while he may soon become “one of the best players in the world”.
Hopefully that progress can continue if he moves to Manchester, in the sort of deal that would allow United to start again in 2026/27.
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