Bruno Fernandes, David Raya, Erling Haaland, Igor Thiago and Morgan Gibbs-White each produced performances that shaped the Premier League’s 2025-26 campaign in defining ways.
Fernandes captained Manchester United through two managerial regimes, first under Ruben Amorim and then Michael Carrick, dragging the club forward through an inconsistent and turbulent season.
The Portuguese midfielder won the Football Writers’ Association player of the season award before setting a Premier League record of 21 assists in United’s final match at Brighton.
United had considered selling Fernandes less than a year ago, which the player acknowledged openly. “At one point I was going to leave, I won’t say where, but I would have won many trophies that season,” Fernandes told Canal 11.
“I decided to stay not only for family reasons but because I genuinely like the club. But from the club’s side, I felt a bit of: ‘If you go, it’s not really that bad for us.’ That hurts me a little.”
“More than hurting, it makes me sad, because I’m a player they have nothing to criticise me for. I’m always available for every match, I always play, whether well or badly. I give my maximum.”
Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya shared the Golden Glove for most clean sheets in all three of his seasons at the club, starting every league game except the final fixture at Selhurst Park.
Raya made crucial saves at critical moments throughout the campaign, helping Arsenal edge out Manchester City to win the title under Mikel Arteta’s management.
Haaland scored 27 Premier League goals this season, averaging one every 110 minutes, while runner-up Igor Thiago required an additional 39 minutes per goal to reach his tally.
Pep Guardiola maintained his longstanding view of the Norwegian striker. “Erling is the best striker in the world,” Guardiola said in February, dismissing persistent criticism of Haaland’s overall contribution to matches.
Haaland also contributed eight assists in the league this season, countering the argument from critics that he offers little beyond goalscoring to the Manchester City side.
Thiago overcame two serious injuries that limited him to eight appearances without a goal in his debut Premier League season, before transforming his fortunes under Brentford head coach Keith Andrews.
The Brazilian striker scored 12 goals in his first 14 competitive games this season and earned a place in Brazil’s World Cup squad under Carlo Ancelotti.
“He’s already shown he can be a top performer in the Premier League,” Andrews said. “He gives the opposition a headache, the way he plays the game. I’m not sure many players will relish playing against him.”
Gibbs-White endured thirteen consecutive games without a goal across club and country amid managerial upheaval at Nottingham Forest before finding form under Sean Dyche and then Vítor Pereira.
The attacking midfielder scored 15 goals in 37 Premier League appearances, helping Forest secure their top-flight status and reach the Europa League semi-finals while wearing the captain’s armband.
Pereira praised Gibbs-White’s mentality under pressure. “When things are not happening in the way that you want, when the team is struggling in the game, a lot of players could prefer to hide themselves, they do not want the ball.”
“But Morgan wants the ball, he wants the responsibility, he wants to score goals, he wants to assist,” Pereira added, highlighting the midfielder’s approach during Forest’s difficult stretches this season.
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