2026-05-18 10:43:57
Bruno Fernandes is “very proud” to have matched Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne by registering 20 assists in a Premier League season.
The Manchester United playmaker joined Henry (for Arsenal in 2002-03) and De Bruyne (for Manchester City in 2019-20) in setting up 20 goals during a campaign after assisting Bryan Mbeumo as the Red Devils beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Sunday (17.05.26) and is thrilled to share the accolade alongside two “main names” from Premier League history.
Fernandes said post-match: “Obviously 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 do it. It’s a very proud moment.”
Fernandes has the chance to claim a record-breaking 21st assist in United’s last game of the season against Brighton next weekend but insists that he won’t change the way he plays to try and grab the record for himself.
The Portuguese international said: “Let’s see. It doesn’t change the way I play my game, so 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.”
Fernandes was pleased to have helped Mbeumo end a goal drought dating back to February with his record-equalling assist.
The United captain said: “I’m very happy that I did it today and Bryan ended up scoring a goal also because it was very good for him.
“He’s been going through a period where he can’t score, and he was probably our main scorer in the beginning of the season, so I’m very happy for him too.
“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 and all credit to Bryan because if he doesn’t put it in the back of the net, my record will not be there.”
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