It has been a landmark Friday for the Premier League as the official January 2026 award winners were revealed. In a month defined by tactical masterclasses and clinical finishing, two names have risen above the rest to claim the league's highest individual honors.
From a history-making Brazilian in West London to a sensational "new" face in the Old Trafford dugout, here is the breakdown of January’s big winners.
Player of the Month: Igor Thiago (Brentford)
It’s been a Friday to remember for Igor Thiago. Just hours after putting pen to paper on a new five-year contract extension with Brentford, the 24-year-old was officially named the EA SPORTS Player of the Month.
Thiago’s January was nothing short of legendary:
The Record: He becomes the first Brazilian player in Premier League history to win the award twice (having previously won in November).
The Stats: He netted 5 goals in just two appearances, including a dominant hat-trick against Everton and a brace against Sunderland.The Golden Boot Race: With 17 goals this season, he has overtaken the Brazilian single-season record (15) and is now the primary challenger to Erling Haaland (22) for the Golden Boot.
"I’ve asked people at the club how many Brentford players have won this, and they told me that nobody had received this trophy before me. So I’m really happy to have won it two times now!" — Igor Thiago
Manager of the Month: Michael Carrick (Manchester United)
The "Carrick Revolution" has been officially recognized. Despite only taking charge on January 13 following the dismissal of Ruben Amorim, Michael Carrick has been named the Barclays Manager of the Month.
In an incredibly short window, Carrick achieved what many thought impossible for an interim boss:
Giant Killings: He masterminded a 2-0 Manchester Derby win over City and a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory against league leaders Arsenal.
Top Four Surge: Under his guidance, United took maximum points from their January fixtures, catapulting the club back into the Champions League spots.Exclusive Club: Carrick is now only the second United manager since Sir Alex Ferguson to win the award in his debut month (matching Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2019).
Carrick beat out competition from Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior, Bournemouth’s Andoni Iraola, and Sean Dyche to secure the trophy.
Full List of January Nominees
To appreciate the scale of their wins, here are the stars they beat to the finish line:
| Award | Winner | Shortlisted Nominees |
| Player of the Month | Igor Thiago | Wirtz (LFC), Enzo (CFC), Summerville (WHU), Dorgu (MUFC) |
| Manager of the Month | Michael Carrick | Liam Rosenior (CFC), Andoni Iraola (AFCB), Sean Dyche (NFFC) |
Other Awards:
Goal of the Month: Harrison Reed (Fulham)
Save of the Month: Alphonse Areola (West Ham)