Bruno Fernandes has etched his name into Premier League history by claiming the outright single-season assists record. The Manchester United captain delivered his 21st assist in Sunday's final-day clash against Brighton, surpassing the previous benchmark held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, who each registered 20 assists in their respective peak seasons.
Fernandes' record-breaking moment came via a pinpoint corner delivery that found Patrick Dorgu for the opening goal. The Portuguese midfielder's playmaking prowess this season—combined with eight goals of his own—earned him the Premier League Player of the Season award on Saturday, cementing one of the most dominant individual campaigns in recent memory.
Masterclass in Creativity and Humility
The 30-year-old has consistently deflected personal plaudits, emphasizing the collective effort required to break such records. Speaking to Sky Sports ahead of his achievement, Fernandes reflected on the magnitude of joining Henry and De Bruyne in the conversation: "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 is very good, and I'm very proud of that."
Yet even after reaching 20 assists against Nottingham Forest, Fernandes remained focused on his teammates' contributions. "All credit to the finishers because if they don't put it on the back of the net, my record will not be there," he explained, highlighting how playmaking excellence depends entirely on clinical finishing from colleagues.
Since joining United from Sporting CP in January 2020 for €65 million, Fernandes has accumulated 106 goals across 327 appearances, establishing himself as the club's creative heartbeat. With his contract running until June 2027 and reports of a lucrative extension pending, the captain will now turn attention to Portugal's World Cup campaign before focusing on United's renewed push for silverware next season.
