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Manchester Uniteds Portuguese midfielder 08 Bruno Fernandes
Man Utd star matches Henry and De Bruyne’s feat after setting up Mbeumo against Nottingham Forest
Bruno Fernandes has equalled the record for the most Premier League assists in a season, having set up his 20th goal of the campaign against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
When the Manchester United captain assisted Bryan Mbeumo’s 76th-minute goal, he matched the feat achieved by Thierry Henry in 2002/03 and Kevin De Bruyne in 2019/20.
“Everyone knew that it was important that I could get another assist at least,” Fernandes told Sky Sports after the match. “They (my team-mates) have been trying everything that they can to score from my passes.
“There were probably moments today that I should have passed instead of shot, and still I got the shot, but I’m very happy for this assist.”
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Fernandes was agonisingly close to breaking the record with a 21st assist in stoppage time as he created a chance for Diogo Dalot, who hit the post – and he will have another chance to set a new mark next Sunday when Man Utd visit Brighton & Hove Albion in their final match.
Most PL assists in single season by any player
Player Assists Season
Bruno Fernandes (MUN) 20* 2025/26
Thierry Henry (ARS) 20 2002/03
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) 20 2019/20
Mesut Ozil (ARS) 19 2015/16
Cesc Fabregas (CHE) 18 2014/15
Frank Lampard (CHE) 18 2004/05
Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) 18 2016/17
Mohamed Salah (LIV) 18 2024/25
Cesc Fabregas (ARS) 17 2007/08
*After 37 matches, with one remaining
What makes Fernandes’s achievement so remarkable is that his first assist of the season didn’t arrive until 19 October, when he set up Harry Maguire for the winning goal in a 2-1 victory at Liverpool.
Gerrard’s set-piece record within reach
Another record is within touching distance as Fernandes has 10 Premier League assists from set-piece situations. Steven Gerrard holds the record for dead-ball assists in a single season, with 11 in 2013/14.
Fernandes, who is tied with Muzzy Izzet (10 for Leicester City in 2003/04) in second for the most set-play assists in a season, can match Gerrard with one more or go past him with another two.
He is now on 103 assists in all competitions for Man Utd, the fourth-most for Man Utd after Ryan Giggs (249), Wayne Rooney (127) and David Beckham (115). (premierleague.com)
