Man Utd talisman is now just four away from Henry and De Bruyne’s incredible feat of assisting 20 goals in one season
Bruno Fernandes’ two assists for Manchester United on Sunday not only helped his side to win 3-1 against Aston Villa, they also took him closer to a Premier League record.
The Man Utd captain’s assists in the 53rd and 71st minutes took him to 16 for the season, one more than David Beckham‘s record for the most Premier League assists in one season by a Man Utd player, when he registered 15 in 1999/00.
Fernandes’ latest contribution also keeps him on course to break the record for the most Premier League assists in a season, currently standing at 20, which is jointly held by Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20).
The stats certainly suggest that the Portuguese can achieve this feat and produce five more goal assists for Man Utd in their remaining eight matches to set a new record of 21.
Most PL assists in single season by any player
| Player | Assists | Season |
| 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 |
| Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) | 16 | 2017/18 |
| Kevin De Bruyne (MCI) | 16 | 2022/23 |
| Eric Cantona (LEE/MUN) | 16 | 1992/93 |
| Bruno Fernandes (MUN) | 16* | 2025/26 |
*After 30 matches, with eight remaining
Slow start followed by sensational spell
What makes Fernandes’ record-breaking achievement for his club this season so remarkable is that he had to wait until 19 October to lay on his first assist of the campaign, setting up Harry Maguire for the winning goal in a 2-1 victory at Liverpool.
Since that first assist in Matchweek 8 at Anfield, Fernandes has provided 16 from 20 matches, a rate of 0.8 per game. If he were to continue at that rate for the remaining eight matches, he would produce at least six more assists, taking his total to 22 this season, two above the record held by Henry and De Bruyne.
Indeed the fixtures look favourable too, with three of Man Utd’s remaining eight opponents being teams he has already assisted goals against this season – AFC Bournemouth (A), Liverpool (H) and Nottingham Forest (H). He has also scored against Bournemouth and another of Man Utd’s upcoming opponents, Chelsea.
Man Utd’s remaining PL fixtures 25/26
| Matchweek/Opponent | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 31 | BOU (A) | 35 | LIV (H) |
| 32 | LEE (H) | 36 | SUN (A) |
| 33 | CHE (A) | 37 | NFO (H) |
| 34 | BRE (H) | 38 | BHA (A) |
Gerrard’s record within reach
Fernandes’ assist for Casemiro against Villa was his ninth such goal involvement from dead-ball situations, taking him to within three of equalling Steven Gerrard’s record-breaking 11 set-play assists in 2013/14, and four away from surpassing it.
The next best are Chris Brunt (nine, 2014/15) and Matt Le Tissier (eight, 1994/95), whose tally Fernandes beat on Sunday.
His assist for Casemiro’s opening goal also marked the fifth occasion Fernandes had set up the Brazilian in 2025/26, the most by one player to a single team-mate in the Premier League this season.
Fernandes’ pass for Man Utd’s second goal against Villa, scored by Matheus Cunha, was his 100th assist for the Red Devils in all competitions. He is only the fourth Man Utd player to reach this milestone, after Ryan Giggs (249), Wayne Rooney (127) and Beckham (115).
