Fernandes ties – Bruno Fernandes recorded his record-tying 20th Premier League assist as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 in a match that swung on another VAR moment involving Matheus Cunha’s awarded goal.
Bruno Fernandes lit up Sunday’s Premier League drama with his record-tying 20th assist of the season. and Manchester United made it count with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest in a match that felt relentless from the first whistle.. The Portuguese midfielder’s contribution set the tone early and tied him with Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20) for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign.
United’s push for another decisive result landed with Bryan Mbeumo’s goal in the 76th minute. which ultimately proved decisive.. Mbeumo’s strike came after Fernandes had earlier helped steer United’s rhythm with his creativity. and it carried the momentum to a home side that kept trading blows in what was. by design. an end-to-end contest.. Fernandes now has one game left to attempt the outright record, with Brighton next weekend.
The match’s biggest flashpoint arrived when Matheus Cunha’s 55th-minute goal put United back ahead for the second time.. Mbeumo controlled the ball using his outstretched arm before his shot was blocked. but the on-field referee still awarded the goal.. VAR then recommended the referee review the incident again on the pitchside monitor. and the decision was upheld after he judged the contact accidental.
That contentious ruling did not derail United’s intent.. Luke Shaw had given United the lead in the fifth minute. only for Morato to level for Forest in the 53rd.. Cunha’s awarded goal restored the hosts’ advantage and Mbeumo followed to make it 3-1. before Morgan Gibbs-White pulled one back for Forest.. Forest’s late scare still couldn’t change the wider picture for the visitors. whose safety had already been assured last week.
United’s result also kept the early momentum under Michael Carrick. who is widely expected to be hired as permanent manager in the coming days after a successful four-month spell.. Carrick has now won 11 of his 16 games at the helm. with only two losses during that period. and the victory ensured United moved into third place.
The sequence of events followed a familiar shape: Fernandes’ assist numbers rose as United pressed forward. Cunha’s goal was repeatedly tested by VAR after an arm was involved. and the decision stayed with the referee after the pitchside check. allowing United to turn moments into goals—before Forest responded late through Gibbs-White.
Premier League Manchester United Nottingham Forest Bruno Fernandes Thierry Henry Kevin De Bruyne Matheus Cunha Bryan Mbeumo Luke Shaw Morato Morgan Gibbs-White VAR