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Record chase vs win
Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record for most assists in a season as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Sunday, with Fernandes setting up Bryan Mbeumo for the winner.
“equalling the Premier League record of 20 assists in a single campaign”
The London Evening Standard said Fernandes “equalled the Premier League record of 20 assists in a single campaign shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry,” and it described the match as a five-goal thriller in which Luke Shaw scored his first goal since January 2023.
The Evening Standard also reported that Forest fumed after referee Michael Salisbury deemed an Mbeumo handball in the build-up to Matheus Cunha’s goal to be accidental after being sent to the pitchside monitor by the VAR.
Fernandes’ 20th assist came as United made a dream start, but the match swung again when Morato headed home early in the second half, before United pulled back immediately.
The Peoples Person framed the same weekend game as a victory that was overshadowed by Fernandes’ pursuit of the assist mark, noting that Fernandes helped United reach Champions League qualification after a two-year absence.
Keane’s “circus act”
Roy Keane attacked Fernandes’ mindset on the Stick to Football podcast, saying, “I think what I heard at United at the weekend… honestly, I was raging with it.”
Keane’s criticism centered on the way the post-match conversation focused on assists rather than the result, and he complained that “everyone was talking about assists, the game was about his assists.”
The ESPN Global report said Keane called it a “circus act” around Fernandes’ record chase and quoted him on The Overlap about captains being “supposed to be driving the club forward.”
Gary Neville tried to defend Fernandes by pointing out that the captain had made it clear he prefers team trophies, but Keane responded that “He won’t be winning trophies. Not with that mindset of the team.”
The Peoples Person added that Fernandes was honoured with a gift by Omar Berrada at the full-time whistle and that Michael Carrick restored Fernandes to his preferred playmaking position.
Brighton next, record at stake
With one game left, Fernandes has the chance to break the record outright when United visit Brighton & Hove Albion next Sunday, after he matched Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on 20 assists.
“could still set a new standard of 21 assists in a season when his side visit Brighton & Hove Albion next Sunday”
The Premier League outlet said Fernandes could still set a new standard of 21 assists in a season when his side visit Brighton & Hove Albion next Sunday in their final match, and it quoted Fernandes telling Sky Sports, “Everyone knew that it was important that I could get another assist at least.”
Goal.com reported that Fernandes admitted he is “eager to surpass Thierry Henry & Kevin De Bruyne” in United’s final game of the season at Brighton, after setting up Mbeumo in the 3-2 win over Forest.
Casemiro, according to Sports Illustrated, said United’s final-day fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion will partially revolve around getting the skipper that 21st assist, adding, “He can break this record.”
Even as the assist chase drew debate from Keane, Fernandes insisted the milestone would not change his approach, telling The Independent that it “doesn’t change the way I play because I'm there to serve my team-mates, try to make them score goals.”
