Bruno Fernandes broke the Premier League single-season assist record in Man Utd’s comfortable 3-0 win against Brighton.
Fernandes broke the assist record vs Brighton
Bruno Fernandes has praised Jonny Evans for his role in planning Manchester United’s goal from a set piece against Brighton on Sunday. Patrick Dorgu opened the scoring by heading home Fernandes’ cross from a corner.
The goal meant Fernandes recorded his 21st Premier League assist of the season, breaking the record of 20 in a campaign which had been jointly held by himself, Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Fernandes was mobbed by his teammates, and his afternoon got even better when he made it 3-0 to United in the second half. Dorgu returned the favour on that occasion by providing the pass that led to Fernandes’ goal.
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Fernandes reflected on breaking the assist record after the final whistle, and he revealed that Jonny Evans was convinced the work done on set-pieces during training could help create a goal.
When asked about making history, Fernandes told Sky Sports: “It’s great. I feel very happy for that. Very proud moment, obviously it is not something I would dream or thinking about until I got this close.
“Today I was lucky enough to get that. Jonny [Evans] believed more than me in that set-piece we prepared for Patrick because I was not so sure he would be able to score with his head.
“I got my assist but the main thing is we won today and finished very strong. It was already special being in their company [Henry and De Bruyne]. We are talking about two players that made the Premier League so great, and they were two of the greatest in the Premier League.
“My style of playing has always been the same. Creation has not been something that has changed or improved, the biggest difference is my teammates have scored more goals than before, and I get the credit for that.”
There has been noise around Fernandes’ future ahead of the summer transfer window, and Carrick said that he had “no reason to think otherwise” when he was asked if he was confident he would stay.
Fernandes praised Carrick’s appointment, saying: “Obviously it is a very important step for our club. We need stability in terms of managing and since Michael came to the club, you know how calm he is and the calmness he gives to the team but also in the moments he needs to put pressure on us he does too.
“He knows the club, what it means and what it demands to be at this club, we are very excited for what is coming. We finished strong and that’s a good sign for what is coming.”
