Bruno Fernandes has cemented his place in Premier League history, equalling the single-season assists record during Manchester United’s recent fixture against Nottingham Forest. The Portuguese midfielder delivered his 20th assist of the current campaign, a low cross tapped in by Bryan Mbeumo, which moved him level with former Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.
The record-equalling moment arrived in the 77th minute at Old Trafford. Fernandes, 31, has one final opportunity to claim the outright record, with Manchester United set to face Brighton away on 24 May (16:00 BST).
A season of unparalleled creativity
Fernandes’ exceptional vision and passing have been a cornerstone of Manchester United’s season. He has created an astonishing 132 chances in the Premier League this term, a figure unmatched by any other player and 58 more than Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, who is next on the list. His impact extends beyond mere numbers, as his assists have directly contributed to Manchester United winning 21 points this season – the highest by an individual player in a single Premier League campaign.
According to BBC Sport, Fernandes has also surpassed a long-standing club record, becoming Manchester United’s leading creator in a single season by eclipsing David Beckham’s 15 assists from the 1999-00 campaign. His outstanding performances were recently recognised with the Football Writers’ Association’s men’s Footballer of the Year award.
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Gary Neville, the former Manchester United right-back, lauded the achievement on Sky Sports, stating, “Fernandes has just achieved something exceptional in Premier League football. To go level with Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry for 20 assists in a single season is a magical moment for him.”
Enduring impact since his arrival
Since his Premier League debut in January 2020, Fernandes’ influence has been profound. He has created a remarkable 670 chances, outstripping Kevin de Bruyne by 238 in that period. His 71 league assists since joining Manchester United are the most by any player in the league, placing him level with Tottenham’s Son Heung-min in the all-time Premier League assists chart.
Beyond his playmaking, Fernandes has also been a prolific goalscorer, with 70 league goals since his debut – a tally bettered by only five other players. When combining goals and assists, his 141 contributions are second only to Mohamed Salah’s 193 in the same timeframe. Against Forest, he created eight chances, four more than any other player on the pitch, and almost secured a 21st assist when setting up Joshua Zirkzee, whose shot was saved.
Reflecting on his achievement, Fernandes told Sky Sports, “They’ve been trying to score from my passes. I’m very happy for the assist and for the win, and to finish the season on a high. I got to 20 today, let’s see – we have one more game. It’s the highest I’ve done in the Premier League so I am very happy with it.”
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Despite previous debates about his future, including a significant offer from Al-Hilal last year, Fernandes chose to remain at Old Trafford, a decision reportedly influenced by his wife’s query about his unfulfilled ambitions at the club. His consistent contributions, including 16 goal involvements in 15 games after Michael Carrick’s arrival, have been instrumental in Manchester United’s push for Champions League qualification.
Sources: www.bbc.com, www.bbc.co.uk
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