The Premier League's current season is shaping up to be a thrilling one, with Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes on the cusp of breaking a record that has long been held by the legendary Kevin De Bruyne. Fernandes, a key player for United, has been on a remarkable run of form, and his recent achievement in setting up a goal for Luke Shaw in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest has put him in the spotlight.
This achievement places Fernandes alongside De Bruyne and Thierry Henry at the top of the all-time Premier League assist chart. With one league fixture remaining, Fernandes has the opportunity to surpass these two icons and claim the record for himself. But that's not all; Fernandes is also in a strong position to break another record held by De Bruyne.
De Bruyne holds the record for the most big chances created in a single Premier League season, an impressive 33 in the 2019/20 campaign. Fernandes, with 32 big chances created from 34 games, is just one shy of equalling this record. This is a remarkable feat, especially considering that Fernandes has already achieved this in the 2022/23 season, showcasing his consistency and ability to create scoring opportunities.
The Portuguese star's impact goes beyond assists and big chances. He has also scored eight goals this term, although his last goal came in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on March 20. Despite not breaking the assist record, Fernandes' performance has been a highlight of the season, and his revitalized form under interim United boss Michael Carrick has been a key factor in United's recent success.
Carrick, impressed by Fernandes' team-first mentality, praised his handling of the pressure and his ability to cope with the challenge. When asked about congratulating Fernandes on equalling the Premier League assist record, Carrick said, 'It's a little bit chaotic down on the pitch and in the dressing room, so I’ve not had much to say. But he always puts the team first and today was another one of those days.'
Fernandes himself remains focused on the team's success, even as he aims to break records. When asked about matching Henry and De Bruyne's assist record, Fernandes said, 'I am very happy to be in their company with this assists record because it's not easy.' He also expressed his satisfaction with Bryan's return to scoring, emphasizing the importance of team success over individual records.
The final day of the season will be a crucial one for Fernandes, as he looks to break both the assist and big chances records against Brighton. With the season's outcome hanging in the balance, Fernandes' performance will be a key factor in determining United's final standing. As the Premier League season reaches its climax, all eyes will be on Fernandes, eager to see if he can etch his name in the history books alongside some of the league's all-time greats.
