Bruno Fernandes equals Premier League assist record with 20 assists
Bruno Fernandes has equalled the Premier League record for the most assists in a single season after registering his 20th of the campaign for Manchester United.
The Portuguese midfielder joins Arsenal great Thierry Henry and Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne in reaching the prestigious milestone.
He surpassed Mesut Ozil’s previous tally of 19 by setting up Bryan Mbeumo with a precise cross from the right flank against Nottingham Forest.
The playmaker has enjoyed a stellar year under manager Michael Carrick, earning the FWA Footballer of the Year award ahead of Arsenal’s Declan Rice.
Elite company in English football
The United captain had previously moved to 19 assists after creating a goal for Benjamin Sesko in a 2-1 victory over Brentford.
His pursuit of the record was briefly delayed when a deflection denied him an official assist against Liverpool.
However, the wait ended against Forest, cementing his place alongside two of the most celebrated creators in top-flight history.
The former Sporting Lisbon star admitted the landmark had been playing on his mind in recent weeks.
One game remaining to make history
“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,” he said.
“Having the chance to be up there with their names is very good and I’m very proud of that.”
The 29-year-old now has the opportunity to claim the outright record before the campaign concludes.
He requires just one more assist in the final match of the season against Brighton & Hove Albion to stand entirely alone in the history books.