Wayne Rooney believes Manchester United boast the best and most improved players in the Premier League this season.
The Red Devils looked set for another disappointing campaign as they continued to struggle under Ruben Amorim during the first-half of the season.
United were outside of the top-four places when Amorim was sacked in January and exited both domestic cup competitions at the earliest possible opportunity, suffering an embarrassing Carabao Cup defeat to League Two side Grimsby Town.
But Manchester United have improved greatly since Michael Carrick took over, finishing third in the Premier League – just seven points behind Manchester City – and qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
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Carrick’s return to Old Trafford was only expected to be temporary but the team’s form convinced the United hierarchy to give him the job on a permanent basis.
The star man in Carrick’s team has been Bruno Fernandes, who provided a Premier League record 21 assists across the campaign and was named the Player of the Season.
Several Arsenal players were in contention for that award after winning the title for the first time in 22 years but Rooney believes it went to the right player.
‘I am delighted for Bruno,’ Rooney said on his BBC podcast. ‘He has been fantastic this season.
‘For me he’s been the [Premier League] player of the year [because of] the influence he has, how driven he is and he’s scored a few goals as well. He has been the heartbeat of that team.’
Rooney also named Fernandes’ Manchester United teammate Luke Shaw as the ‘most improved player’ in the Premier League this season.
Shaw, 30, enjoyed one of his most consistent seasons at Old Trafford, starting all of United’s Premier League games and making a case for his inclusion in England’s World Cup squad, although Thomas Tuchel ultimately looked elsewhere.
Manchester United legend Rooney added: ‘I think, for me, Luke Shaw. I think Luke Shaw has been the most improved player this season.
‘I know he’s an experienced player now but I think his level this season has been much better than they have been in recent seasons.
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‘People might look at Kobbie Mainoo but I don’t think he’s improved it was just the fact he wasn’t playing under the former manager so it wasn’t good or bad.’
Manchester United wrapped up the 2025-26 season with an impressive 3-0 win at Brighton on Sunday.
Carrick heaped praise on Fernandes after the game and insisted he was confident he would still be a United player come the start of next season.
The 31-year-old’s contract is due to expire next summer, although United have an option to extend it by another year.
‘I’ve got no reason to think otherwise,’ Carrick said. ‘We’ve loved what he’s done, and he loves being here.
‘I think you can see that. He’s such an influence for us. He’s been the captain and led by example in different ways.
‘He wants to stay on every single game because he’s enjoying his football, which is fantastic.’
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