Manchester United announce popular three-time winner of Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award

Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award for a third time.

Fernandes created more chances than any other player in the Premier League for a successive season and was joint-top scorer in the division for United with 10 goals.

The 29-year-old was given the captain's armband by Erik ten Hag last summer and has demonstrated leadership qualities in a testing season for United.

Fernandes scored 15 times in all competitions, just one behind Rasmus Hojlund on 16, and recorded eight league assists, which is at least double that of any of his teammates.

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The Portuguese international had never missed a club game through injury until last month, but he returned to fitness against Newcastle and will captain United in the FA Cup final.

Since Fernandes arrived in the Premier League, no player has created more chances or big chances and he's consistently produced goals and assists when United have needed him most.

To an extent, the decision to give Fernandes the armband was contentious due to his persona with referees, but he's vindicated it by producing captain's displays this season.

Fernandes was elected as a clear winner of the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award, picking up 40 per cent of the vote, and Diogo Dalot finished runner-up with 20 per cent. The next two players in the voting were Kobbie Mainoo in third and Alejandro Garnacho in fourth.

Recent United Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award winners:

• 2000/01: Teddy Sheringham (England)

• 2001/02: Ruud van Nistelrooy (the Netherlands)

• 2002/03: Ruud van Nistelrooy (the Netherlands)

• 2003/04: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

• 2004/05: Gabriel Heinze (Argentina)

• 2005/06: Wayne Rooney (England)

• 2006/07: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

• 2007/08: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

• 2008/09: Nemanja Vidic (Serbia)

• 2009/10: Wayne Rooney (England)

• 2010/11: Javier Hernandez (Mexico)

• 2011/12: Antonio Valencia (Ecuador)

• 2012/13: Robin van Persie (the Netherlands)

• 2013/14: David De Gea (Spain)

• 2014/15: David De Gea (Spain)

• 2015/16: David De Gea (Spain)

• 2016/17: Ander Herrera (Spain)

• 2017/18: David De Gea (Spain)

• 2018/19: Luke Shaw (England)

• 2019/20: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)

• 2020/21: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)

• 2021/22: Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal)

• 2022/23: Marcus Rashford (England)

• 2023/24: Bruno Fernandes (Portugal)