Bruno Fernandes equalled Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on 20 Premier League assists after setting up Bryan Mbeumo in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, with just 90 minutes left in the season as the club prepare to finish away to Brighton.
Bruno Fernandes had one worry and one deadline after Manchester United’s 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest: there are only 90 minutes left to turn “one away” into the Premier League assist record.
The United captain teed up Bryan Mbeumo in the second half on Sunday. helping United to a pulsating result that lifted him to 20 Premier League assists for the season.. That number brings Fernandes level with the tallies of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in the history books. but it also leaves him staring at a final chance.
With Manchester United set to finish the campaign away to Brighton on Sunday. Fernandes spoke pitch side just moments after the final whistle and insisted the pursuit of history would not change how he plays.. “[The record] doesn’t change the way I play my game,” he said.. “I will still have to create things for my team and hopefully it can happen.. But if it doesn’t happen, I’m already very happy because I’ve never done 20 assists in the Premier League.. I’ve never done 19 either, so even if I had finished with 19, I would be very happy.”
The moment had a real emotional weight around Old Trafford. not just for the captain. but for the rest of the squad.. When Mbeumo converted Fernandes’ right-wing cross against Forest, teammates rushed over to celebrate with Fernandes.. Even goalkeeper Senne Lammens ran the length of the pitch to join in.. Fernandes pointed to that response as proof the work is recognised.. “They all were aware and I think they’re all aware that I try everything I can to help them. so I’m very grateful to see their reaction. ” he said.. “More than mine,” he added, explaining that he wanted Mbeumo’s celebrations to take centre stage.. “I wanted Bryan [Mbeumo] to celebrate his goal.. I didn’t want to make it about myself because at the end of the day scoring the goal is the biggest thing in football.”
He also made the dependence of the record plain: the assist only counts when the forward finishes. “All credit to Bryan because if he doesn’t put it in the back of the net, my record will not be there. So these records only come if your team-mates do the things right as you do.”
The timing made the day feel even sharper.. Fernandes had not drawn level with Henry and De Bruyne in the previous match. a 0-0 draw at Sunderland. and in Sunday’s game his personal edge briefly slipped away.. He fell to his knees earlier in the match when Mbeumo spurned a golden chance for what would have been Fernandes’ twentieth assist.
After the win. Fernandes framed the feeling as pride more than panic. but he admitted the closeness had been on his mind.. “I wouldn’t say relieved, but I’m very happy, very proud,” he concluded.. “When you start getting close to [the record], you start thinking a lot.. Obviously it comes into your mind, you know?. I’m very proud.. We’re speaking about Thierry and Kevin. two of the main names of the Premier League. and for me I’m very grateful and I’m very happy to achieve it.. It’s a very proud moment.”
Every key piece of the storyline sits inside the same sequence: a 0-0 draw at Sunderland left Fernandes short of matching Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. then a direct handoff—his second-half cross that Bryan Mbeumo turned into the 3-2 win—took him to 20 assists. triggering the squad celebrations and setting up the final-day chance with Manchester United away to Brighton.
Now, with just one match remaining, Fernandes’ record is no longer a distant aspiration. It is a number he has already reached, and a single assist still separates him from going beyond the mark that matches Henry and De Bruyne.
Bruno Fernandes Manchester United Premier League Premier League assists Nottingham Forest Bryan Mbeumo Thierry Henry Kevin De Bruyne Brighton Sunderland 3-2 win 20 assists
Henry and De Bruyne records already? Man U just needs to win one more time lol.
I didn’t even know Bruno could get to 20 assists, that’s wild. Also that “only 90 minutes left” part sounds like pressure cooker stuff, like he’s gotta do it at Brighton or what?
Wait so he’s tied with Thiery Henry and De Bruyne on assists, but it says he had a deadline for “one away”?? I’m confused, is that like away games count or goals or something? Either way Mbeumo should’ve been starting more if he’s getting those chances.
The whole Senne Lammens running across the pitch thing got me, like even the goalie was like YES do it for the captain. But honestly records don’t matter if they don’t finish strong… and Brighton away is always tricky, so I’m already thinking they won’t get it. Then again Bruno saying he’d be happy with 19 makes it sound like he’s not even trying that hard which is kinda funny.