Premier League Player of the Season nominees announced as fans can’t believe one player wasn’t included

The announcement of the Premier League Player of the Season nominees has ignited passionate discussion across social media platforms, with many fans expressing disbelief at the omission of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes from the prestigious shortlist. As the 2024-25 Premier League season approaches its conclusion, the highly anticipated individual awards have begun to take center stage, capturing the attention of football enthusiasts worldwide.

Thursday morning saw the official unveiling of the eight nominees competing for the coveted Premier League Player of the Season accolade. Newly crowned champions Liverpool dominated the nominations with three representatives: Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Ryan Gravenberch. The Liverpool trio’s inclusion comes as little surprise following their instrumental contributions to the club’s title-winning campaign under the guidance of manager Arne Slot, who successfully filled the enormous shoes left by Jürgen Klopp.

The remaining five nominations were distributed among several clubs, showcasing the breadth of exceptional talent that has graced England’s top flight this season. Newcastle United’s striking sensation Alexander Isak earned recognition for his remarkable goal-scoring exploits, while Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo similarly received acknowledgment for his standout performances under Thomas Frank’s astute leadership. Arsenal’s midfield lynchpin Declan Rice also secured a well-deserved nomination after demonstrating his tremendous influence in the Gunners’ campaign.

Perhaps the most surprising inclusions came from Nottingham Forest, with both Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood receiving nominations. The Forest duo’s recognition highlights the remarkable progress made by the club under Nuno Espirito Santo, who has successfully transformed them from relegation candidates into a competitive Premier League outfit.

Among the nominees, Liverpool’s talismanic forward Mohamed Salah emerges as the overwhelming favorite to claim the award. The Egyptian maestro has enjoyed yet another sensational season, amassing an extraordinary tally of 28 goals and 18 assists in the Premier League alone. Such phenomenal statistics underscore Salah’s enduring brilliance and consistent ability to deliver match-winning contributions at the highest level.

However, the announcement prompted immediate backlash from segments of the football community, with many questioning the conspicuous absence of Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes from the shortlist. Despite Manchester United’s underwhelming league campaign, Fernandes has maintained his exceptional individual standards, often serving as a beacon of quality amid the team’s inconsistent performances.

The social media response was swift and emphatic, with numerous fans expressing their dismay at Fernandes’ exclusion. One supporter succinctly questioned, “Where’s Bruno Fernandes?” while another declared him “the best midfielder” in the league. The sentiment was echoed by countless others, with one fan labeling the omission as “shameful” and another asserting that “Bruno deserved a shot too. Without him United would have been relegated now,” highlighting the Portuguese star’s vital importance to the Red Devils.

The fervor continued with another supporter boldly claiming that “Bruno is better than 7 of them,” suggesting that Fernandes’ quality surpassed nearly all those who received nominations. Others questioned the selection criteria, with one fan pointedly asking, “What criteria is used for the selection we are missing the mighty Bruno whyyy??????”

While Manchester United have endured a difficult Premier League campaign, Fernandes’ individual statistics remain impressive. In the league, the Portuguese midfielder has registered eight goals and ten assists across 34 appearances. When considering all competitions, his contribution becomes even more substantial, with an impressive 19 goals and 19 assists in 54 matches – numbers that certainly strengthen the case for his inclusion among the league’s elite performers.

Fernandes’ significance to Manchester United extends beyond mere statistics. Having served under both Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim this season, the Portuguese international has maintained his high standards despite the managerial transition and surrounding instability. His leadership qualities have been particularly evident during challenging periods, consistently demonstrating the character and determination that have made him such a respected figure at Old Trafford.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on the Player of the Season nomination, Fernandes still has a significant opportunity to end the season on a triumphant note. Manchester United are preparing to face Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final, scheduled to take place at the San Mames stadium in Bilbao, Spain. Success in this competition would provide a silver lining to an otherwise challenging campaign and potentially validate Fernandes’ quality on the European stage.

Alongside the Player of the Season nominees, the Premier League also announced the shortlist for Manager of the Season. Liverpool’s Arne Slot received a nomination after guiding the Reds to the league title in his debut season – an extraordinary achievement considering the pressure of succeeding club legend Jürgen Klopp. Brentford’s Thomas Frank earned recognition for continuing to overachieve with limited resources, while Newcastle United’s Eddie Howe was acknowledged for maintaining the club’s upward trajectory.

Completing the managerial nominations were Nottingham Forest’s Nuno Espirito Santo, who has masterminded the club’s impressive resurgence, and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Vitor Pereira, whose tactical acumen has elevated Wolves beyond expectations. The diverse shortlist reflects the competitive nature of the Premier League, with multiple managers demonstrating exceptional qualities across different contexts.

The Premier League’s individual awards represent more than mere recognition; they serve as historical markers that acknowledge excellence and influence perceptions of players’ legacies. For this reason, the selection process inevitably generates intense debate and scrutiny, particularly when high-profile players like Bruno Fernandes are overlooked despite their evident quality and contribution.

While Mohamed Salah’s exceptional statistics make him the likely frontrunner for the Player of the Season award, the passionate defense of Fernandes by Manchester United supporters highlights the subjective nature of individual accolades in football. Different perspectives prioritize different attributes – from raw statistics and match-winning moments to leadership qualities and consistency under adverse circumstances.

The debate surrounding Fernandes’ exclusion also raises broader questions about how performances are evaluated within struggling teams. Maintaining world-class standards within an underperforming unit arguably requires greater individual quality and mental resilience than excelling within a well-functioning collective. This context adds another layer to the discussion around Fernandes’ absence from the shortlist.

As the voting process commences, fans have been encouraged to participate and make their voices heard. The Premier League’s official announcement invited supporters to cast their votes for their preferred candidate, ensuring that the eventual winner will reflect, at least partially, the collective judgment of the football community. This democratic element adds further intrigue to the award, potentially creating scenarios where public sentiment diverges from expert opinion.

For Liverpool’s trio of nominees, the Player of the Season award represents an opportunity to crown their title-winning campaign with individual recognition. Salah’s extraordinary goal contributions make him the standout candidate, but Van Dijk’s commanding defensive presence and Gravenberch’s midfield excellence ensure that the Reds have multiple pathways to success in this category.

Newcastle’s Alexander Isak has emerged as one of the Premier League’s most feared forwards, combining clinical finishing with intelligent movement and technical brilliance. His nomination recognizes the remarkable impact he has had on Newcastle’s fortunes, frequently providing the decisive quality in tight contests throughout the season.

Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo has been a revelation, shouldering increased offensive responsibility and delivering consistently excellent performances. His nomination represents a triumph for clubs operating with comparatively modest resources, demonstrating that exceptional talent can emerge from beyond the traditional elite.

Declan Rice’s nomination acknowledges his seamless transition to Arsenal and the transformative effect he has had on the Gunners’ midfield. Combining defensive solidity with progressive passing and occasional goal contributions, Rice has established himself as one of the Premier League’s most complete midfielders.

The Nottingham Forest duo of Morgan Gibbs-White and Chris Wood have been instrumental in the club’s impressive campaign. Gibbs-White’s creative flair and Wood’s clinical finishing have provided Forest with the quality needed to compete effectively in England’s top division, justifying their inclusion among the league’s standout performers.

As the footballing world digests the nominations and debates potential oversights, it’s worth remembering that individual awards inevitably generate disagreement due to their inherently subjective nature. Different observers prioritize different attributes, and perceptions are inevitably colored by club allegiances and personal preferences.

For Bruno Fernandes, the focus will now shift to Manchester United’s Europa League final against Tottenham Hotspur. Success in this competition would provide tangible evidence of his quality and leadership, potentially compensating for the disappointment of missing out on the Premier League award nomination. The European stage offers Fernandes an opportunity to demonstrate his excellence on a different front, potentially adding another significant achievement to his Manchester United tenure.

The Premier League Player of the Season award holds particular significance as it represents recognition from both fans and football experts. Unlike some individual accolades that rely solely on technical committees or journalist votes, this award incorporates public sentiment, creating a more holistic representation of excellence. This combination of expert judgment and popular opinion gives the award additional prestige within the football community.

Looking beyond the individual nominees, the shortlists offer insight into the evolving landscape of English football. Liverpool’s dominance in the nominations reflects their exceptional season, while Nottingham Forest’s dual representation highlights the potential for traditionally smaller clubs to develop elite talent through effective recruitment and coaching. The diversity of clubs represented suggests a competitive balance that enhances the Premier League’s global appeal.

As voting commences and fans make their voices heard, the debate surrounding these nominations will likely intensify. Social media platforms will continue to serve as forums for passionate advocacy and critical analysis, reflecting the emotional investment that supporters have in seeing their favored players recognized. This engagement, even when characterized by disagreement, underscores the Premier League’s cultural significance and ability to generate meaningful conversation.

For Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United, the exclusion may serve as motivation for the upcoming European final and beyond. Football history is replete with examples of perceived snubs galvanizing players to reach greater heights, transforming disappointment into determination. Whether Fernandes channels this energy into an inspirational Europa League final performance remains to be seen, but his quality and professionalism suggest he will continue to perform at an elite level regardless of individual accolades.

In the broader context of Manchester United’s challenging season, Fernandes’ consistent excellence stands as a testament to his character and ability. While team achievements ultimately hold greater significance than individual recognition, the passionate defense of his qualities by supporters reflects the deep appreciation for his contributions to the club during a period of transition and uncertainty.

As the Premier League season approaches its conclusion, attention will gradually shift from individual awards to the final matches and their implications. Yet these nominations and the discussions they generate form an important part of football’s narrative, capturing a moment in time and preserving perceptions of excellence for future reflection. Whether Bruno Fernandes’ exclusion will be remembered as a significant oversight or a justifiable decision will depend largely on how the respective careers of these elite players unfold in the coming years.