Bruno Fernandes for Footballer of the Year? John Cross's Title Obsession Misses the Mark

Ever notice how football awards spark more rows than a dodgy VAR call? Step forward Bruno Fernandes, who's having a blinder for Manchester United this season, yet facing flak from some quarters. John Cross at the Daily Mirror reckons he doesn't deserve Footballer of the Year honours because the Red Devils aren't guaranteed silverware. Fair play? Not quite.

The Case for Bruno: Stats Don't Lie

Let's get the numbers out first – they're Bruno's best mate right now. The Portuguese maestro has racked up twice as many Premier League assists as anyone else, dragging United from last season's dumpster fire to third place. Where would they be without his goals, vision, and sheer graft? Probably scrapping with the relegation fodder.

Cross admits Bruno's stellar – 'best player in the third-best team' – but insists the award must go to a title winner. Arsenal's Gabriel or Declan Rice? Maybe. But pinning it on Marc Guehi as City's saviour? That's a stretch. Guehi's been solid post-Palace, tightening Chelsea's backline, but 'January changed everything' for third-placed City? Pull the other one.

It's daft logic. Awards celebrate individuals, not just trophy hauls. Bruno's been the heartbeat of United's revival, outshining even Dominik Szoboszlai, who's shone for a faltering Liverpool but not at Fernandes' level.

Cross's Hypocrisy: Van Persie Rewind

Here's where it gets juicy. Cross once voted for Scott Parker in a relegated West Ham side – fair shout for individual brilliance. But the real kicker? The next year, he backed trophyless Robin van Persie for FWA Footballer of the Year. In his own words back then: 'the individual who has had most influence on the season, irrespective of his team’s success.'

Replace 'Van Persie' with 'Fernandes' and 'Arsenal' with 'United', and it fits like a glove. Cross even praised RvP for carrying his side – sound familiar? Yet now, Bruno's a 'so-called playmaker who doesn’t do enough'. Polarising? Sure. But the stats scream otherwise.

He even nods to Bayer Leverkusen's brutality under Xabi Alonso, unbeaten and ruthless, while Pep Guardiola's City juggernaut rolls on. Point is, excellence transcends trophies. Cross's 'lesson learned' from Parker feels selective – more like recency bias.

Verdict: Awards Aren't Team Trophies

Football Writers' Association gongs aren't the Champions League. They've gone to non-champions before, rewarding impact. Bruno's momentum is building, captaincy debates aside. If Arsenal pip it, fine – Rice or Saka could nab it. But dismissing United's talisman because no title's locked in? That's missing the plot.

Chat at the pub: Bruno's carried United further than most. Cross might clutch his 'winning team' rule, but history – and his own votes – say otherwise. Who's with me? Fernandes for FOTY, silverware or not.