Advertisement
Manchester United’s skipper Bruno Fernandes equals Premier League assist record
17th May, 2026 08:30 PM
Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League assists record as Manchester United sealed a third-place finish with an entertaining 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The United captain has now matched Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne by setting up 20 goals in a Premier League season, with the milestone moment coming when Fernandes crossed for wasteful Bryan Mbeumo to finally stick away his fourth big chance of the game on Sunday.
Fernandes then almost took the record outright in the final moments when Diogo Dalot took the ball off him and fired at the foot of the far post.
Casemiro’s farewell
But, regardless, it was another standout performance from Fernandes, who carved out eight opportunities for his teammates, on a day the home fans waved goodbye to another midfield favourite, Casemiro, who will leave the club this summer.
United’s final home game of the season got off to a dream start with a rare goal from Luke Shaw, arrowed in after just six minutes. Mbeumo should have made it 2-0 when he hit the near post from a tight angle after going around Matz Sels moments after Senne Lammens had saved a Morgan Gibbs-White one-on-one.
Mbeumo then skied a real sitter just after half-time from close range as his 11-game goalless run looked to weigh heavily on his shoulders. And United were punished for his wayward finishing when Morato headed in an excellent Elliot Anderson cross to equalise.
United instantly responded, but Matheus Cunha’s goal was a controversial one. The ball struck Mbeumo’s arm off his hip before the striker’s shot rebounded for Cunha to convert.
The goal was given on-field, but after a long check, VAR advised ref Michael Salisbury to go to the monitor, with many assuming a handball against Mbeumo would be given. But Salisbury instead stood by his original call and awarded the goal. “That is a shocker,” said Sky Sports’ Gary Neville on co-commentary
The goal was given on-field; after a long check, VAR advised ref Michael Salisbury to go to the monitor, with many assuming handball against Mbeumo would be given. But Salisbury instead stood by his original call and awarded the goal.
Brought to his knees
With 14 minutes to play, United got a third. Fernandes crossed from the right for Mbeumo to divert the ball in. While the focus was on Fernandes’ record, there was relief in Mbeumo’s celebrations; he had blown another brilliant opportunity provided by his captain moments earlier, which had brought Fernandes to his knees.
Anderson strikes
But the action wasn’t over; another Anderson cross and a sharp finish from Morgan Gibbs-White kept the contest close during the end-to-end final stages, which saw Joshua Zirkzee brilliantly denied by Sels soon after Dalot had struck the woodwork.
Ultimately, though, this was a fun, satisfying win for United in front of their home fans for the final time this season. Forest will hope to give their own fans a similar send-off when they host Bournemouth on Sunday; with their Premier League status already secured, they remain in 16th.
