Bruno Fernandes 21st assist of the season was record-breaking. Coming into Sunday, Bruno’s 20 assists to date made him the joint-record holder with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
Manchester United faced off against Brighton at the AMEX Stadium, walking away with an emphatic 3-0 win to close out their season. The win had no impact on United’s league position, as they had locked in 3rd place a week prior. However, for Bruno, there was much to play for.
In the 32nd minute, Patrick Dorgu opened the scoring with a header into the back of the net off another Bruno Fernandes corner kick. History.
The team instantly ran over to their Captain, showering him with praise and love as he officially etched his name into Premier League history. Fernandes has been the heart and soul of this revitalized Manchester United side all year long and his teammates’ reactions showed the world how special the moment was for not only the player but the team as a whole.
Fernandes’ feat also puts him in elite company, amongst Europe’s top 5 leagues. He joins Lionel Messi and Thomas Müller as the only men to record 21 assists in a single season. A fitting group for Fernandes to be a part of, as his playmaking ability on the pitch has reached the level of some of the best the game has had to offer.
Bruno’s historic moment is another milestone in an already incredible season. Earlier this week, Bruno was named PFA Player Of The Year, an award that recognizes the best player in English football over the course of the season. He became the first Red Devil to win the award since club legend Wayne Rooney in the 2009-10 season.
Bruno also bagged a goal in his final game, bringing his goal total to 9 and his G/A total to 30 in the league. Fernandes will have a short break, as he gears up to try and lead the Portuguese National Team in a deep World Cup run this summer.
A strong World Cup off the back of this Premier League Campaign could potentially put Fernandes in a Ballon d’Or conversation closer to the year’s end.
