Bruno Fernandes has officially etched his name in Premier League history books by equalling the all-time record for assists in a single season. Fernandes reached this milestone in Manchester United‘s 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Portugal international, who has been in sensational form throughout the campaign, made a cross from the right which was turned home by Bryan Mbeumo in the 76th minute of the game. He now joins Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne to produce 20 assists in a season.
Arsenal legend Henry set the benchmark in 2002-03, while former Manchester City midfielder De Bruyne matched it during the 2019-20 season.
Bruno Fernandes had previously admitted his ambition to reach the milestone before United’s fixture against Liverpool on May 3. In a Sky Sports interview with former United defender Gary Neville, the United captain said, “Of course it’s in my mind, I won’t lie about that.”
“It wasn’t in the beginning but now I’m one behind them [Henry and De Bruyne], I think about it,” he continued. “It’s something that I think about because we are talking about Kevin and Thierry, they were two of the best players that the Premier League has seen in a long, long time. Having the chance to be up there with their names — just for this category, let’s not talk about the rest they have done in the Premier League — is very good and I’m very proud of that.”
United secure third place finish with another controversial VAR win over Forest
Manchester United played their a successful final home game of the season to secure a third place finish in the Premier League with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday. Casemiro also received a standing ovation on his final game at Old Trafford nine minutes from time.
Luke Shaw scored an early opener for United, which was cancelled out by Forest’s Morato’s header in the 53rd minute. However, a contentious VAR happened when Diogo Dalot crossed the ball to Bryan Mbeumo in the 55th minute. The Cameroon forward appeared to control the ball between his upper arm and his side before his shot was deflected to Matheus Cunha, who made it 2-1 for United.
Referee Michael Salisbury initially gave the goal and stuck to his decision after he was sent to the screen by VAR Matthew Donohue amid several boos from both sets of fans over the time taken to reach a decision. Salisbury refused to rule the goal out as expected after he found the ball had deflected off Mbeumo’s hip.
Mbeumo scored the third for United from Bruno Fernandes’s record-equaling assist in the 76th minute. Forest got their second from Morgan Gibbs-White two minutes later but were unable to find the equaliser before the final whistle.
