After Manchester United‘s exciting 3-2 victory against Fulham last weekend, Bruno Fernandes made headlines once again. The United captain recorded two assists, bringing his season total to 12.
The record for the most assists in a Premier League season stands at 20, held by Thierry Henry from the 2002-03 season and Kevin de Bruyne from the 2019-20 season.
Fernandes is just eight assists away from tying the record and nine away from setting a new one. With 15 matches left, can he achieve this milestone?
Bruno Fernandes Aiming for Premier League Assists Record
Fernandes’ Assists This Season
Bruno Fernandes is well-known for his consistent performances in the Premier League. His success is notable even when Manchester United is not at its best.
He has achieved 63 assists in 216 league games since joining Manchester United, and 99 total assists in 313 appearances. Despite some ups and downs since arriving in 2020, he has remained a key player, adapting under seven different managers.
His playing style has evolved, especially since the departure of Ruben Amorim, who used him in a deeper role. Though he managed seven assists then, it wasn’t his natural fit.
Now, under a new system, Fernandes has returned to a more central attacking role and has notched five assists in just four games, showcasing his exceptional playmaking abilities.
New Tactics Benefit Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes thrives on challenging passes rather than relying solely on a high completion rate. His willingness to take risks with long balls enhances his chances of assisting goals, especially given the attacking talent at United.
With Michael Carrick’s fresh tactics focusing on quick counterattacks and players like Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo, and Amad Diallo providing speed, Fernandes has plenty of opportunities to set up goals. Additionally, the tall Benjamin Sesko offers a solid target for him during matches.
This season, Fernandes ranks second in the Premier League for key passes per 90 minutes at 2.69. Only Jeremy Doku from Manchester City has a higher average at 2.73. This indicates that his bold passing style is effective and could play a crucial role in his quest to break the assist record.
Looking Ahead
With 15 games remaining, Bruno Fernandes is close to achieving greatness. Manchester United will face only six teams currently in the top 10 during this stretch, along with three matches against teams in the bottom five.
He typically plays the full 90 minutes when fit and has only missed seven matches due to injuries in six years. If he maintains his fitness, the record is certainly within reach.
Setting a new assist record would not only mark a historic achievement in the Premier League but also solidify Bruno Fernandes’ status as one of the league’s most creative playmakers.