There is no doubt Manchester United have given Bruno Fernandes a push to get this award.
United have been playing up Fernandes’ claims and also ensured the Portugal playmaker was promoted through some recent media engagements.
However, this would have been pointless had Fernandes not delivered at a time in the season when United needed him to deliver.
In October, when Fernandes spoke about qualification for the Champions League, few thought it was likely.
In January, when technical director Jason Wilcox told the United squad that was the aim despite Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, it seemed a tall order.
That they have achieved it with three matches to spare and could yet end the campaign nearer in points terms to the eventual champions than in any other season since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement 13 years ago, owes a huge amount to Fernandes.
Since returning from a rare injury against Burnley, Sunday’s victory over Liverpool was only the third match out of 16 in all competitions when Fernandes has not either scored a goal or created one.
His performances across the season have been consistently high and worthy of wider recognition.
Twelve months ago, when the debate over Fernandes’ United future raged, the question being asked was simply this: where would they be without him?
The suspicion was they would have been much closer to relegation than they actually were.
The same could be asked now. The answer? They would surely not be looking forward to a Champions League return.
