Following Manchester United’s entertaining 3-2 win over Fulham this past weekend, Bruno Fernandes yet again grabbed headlines. The United captain notched another two assists, taking his season total to 12.
The current record of most Premier League assists in history is 20, a record shared between Thierry Henry during the 2002-03 season and Kevin de Bruyne during the 2019-20 season.
Fernandes is just eight assists away from equalling the record and nine away from breaking it. With 15 games to go, will Bruno Fernandes be able to break the record?
Bruno Fernandes in Pursuit of the Premier League Assists Record
Bruno Fernandes: Assists this Season
Bruno Fernandes is one of the most consistent performers in the Premier League. What makes his output so interesting is that it isn’t reliant on Manchester United being in form.
He’s recorded 63 Premier League assists in 216 league games since signing with The Red Devils and 99 total assists in 313 games in red. It’s not unreasonable to say that since signing with United in 2020, they haven’t been at their elite best. He’s also played under seven managers (including interims) during his time in Manchester, proving that he isn’t reliant on one man in charge.
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He’s stood the test of different players around him, different systems and different positions and is still one of the most reliable playmakers in Premier League history. Since his countryman, Ruben Amorim, was sacked as Manchester United manager, Bruno’s position has changed. Amorim played him in a deeper role. Despite recording seven assists, it was clear that it wasn’t his natural position.
Since Amorim’s departure, the Manchester United captain has been deployed in the number 10 position. Following the return to his more preferred position, he’s recorded five assists in four games, proving that his playmaking skills high up the pitch are unmatched.
New Tactics Suit Fernandes
Efficiency isn’t an issue for the Portuguese international. Bruno Fernandes isn’t a player who relies on a high pass completion record to build his numbers. He’s more than willing to attempt difficult passes and ambitious long balls. This ambition inflates his chances of recording assists, especially with the attacking talent at Old Trafford.
With the new-look United under Michael Carrick, there is a clear focus on quick counterattacking football. With Patrick Dorgu, Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbuemo and Amad Diallo featuring in the attacking positions, there is plenty of pace for Bruno to utilise on the break. The 6’5″ Benjamin Sesko is also a good target for Fernandes to aim for when he comes on as a substitute.
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Fernandes is second for key passes per 90 in the Premier League this season with 2.69. Only Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku scores higher than Bruno with 2.73. This shows that he’s efficient at completing those ‘ambitious’ balls, an aspect that could be a big factor in him breaking the record.
Remainder of the Season
With 15 games remaining, Bruno Fernandes is on the brink of greatness. Manchester United face just six of the current top 10 in their final 15 games. They also face three of the bottom five before the season’s conclusion.
We know that, when fit, he’ll play 90 minutes. He’s only suffered three injuries in six years whilst at United, missing just seven total games. If he can stay fit, which history suggests that he will, the record is very much in sight.
Breaking the assist record would not only rewrite Premier League history, but it would confirm that Bruno Fernandes is one of the most creative playmakers in the history of the league.