Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes reacts to breaking Premier League assist record against Brighton & Hove Albion - 'I feel very happy'
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Updated 24/05/2026 at 20:24 GMT+1
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Bruno Fernandes broke the Premier League record for most assists in a single season as he provided for Patrick Dorgu to score during Manchester United's win away to Brighton & Hove Albion.
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Dorgu connected with Fernandes' first-half corner to power a header past Bart Verbruggen to give Manchester United the lead.
Bryan Mbeumo doubled the away side's advantage shortly before the break before Fernandes bagged United's third three minutes into the second half on their way to a routine 3-0 win.
Fernandes' 33rd-minute assist was his 21st for the season, moving one clear of Thierry Henry, who registered 20 assists in 2002/03, and Kevin De Bruyne, the Belgian having matched the Frenchman's record in 2019/20.
"We worked on that in training yesterday. I knew he [Bruno Fernandes] was going to put the ball there," Dorgu said of his goal at full-time.
Fernandes, meanwhile, said that he is "very proud" to have broken the assist record, telling Sky Sports: "It’s great. I feel very happy for that. Very proud moment, obviously it is not something I would dream or think 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.
Most PL assists in single season by any player
| Player | Club | Assists | Season |
| Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | 21 | 2025/26 |
| Thierry Henry | Arsenal | 20 | 2002/03 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 20 | 2019/20 |
| Mesut Ozil | Arsenal | 19 | 2015/16 |
| Cesc Fabregas | Chelsea | 18 | 2014/15 |
| Frank Lampard | Chelsea | 18 | 2004/05 |
| Kevin De Bruyne | Manchester City | 18 | 2016/17 |
| Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 18 | 2024/25 |
| Cesc Fabregas | Arsenal | 17 | 2007/08 |
"It was already special being in their [Thierry Henry & Kevin de Bruyne] company. 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 team-mates have scored more goals than before and I get the credit for that."
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The assist record caps what has been a superb individual campaign for Fernandes, who has played an instrumental role in Manchester United's UEFA Champions League return.
The Portugal international's exploits saw the attacking star named the Premier League Player of the Season, becoming the first Manchester United player to win the award since Nemanja Vidic in the 2010/11 season.
It follows on from Fernandes' FWA Footballer of the Year award win, the 31-year-old pipping Arsenal star Declan Rice to the accolades having excelled as the club earned a top-three finish.
Carrick's new contract
A 3-2 win over fierce rivals Liverpool earlier this month saw the Manchester giants return to the competition for the first time since the 2023/24 season with Michael Carrick excelling following his appointment as interim head coach in January.
The former Middlesbrough boss was given a contract until the end of the season, but put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal, with the option of a third year, on Friday.
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"From the moment that I arrived here 20 years ago, I felt the magic of Manchester United," Carrick told the club's official website.
"Carrying the responsibility of leading our special football club fills me with immense pride.
"Throughout the past five months, this group of players have shown they can reach the standards of resilience, togetherness and determination that we demand here.
"Now it’s time to move forward together again, with ambition and a clear sense of purpose. Manchester United and our incredible supporters deserve to be challenging for the biggest honours again."
Fernandes praises 'important step'
Speaking after Sunday's win over Brighton, Fernandes spoke about the decision to keep Carrick in the Old Trafford dugout and noted the stability that comes with handing the 44-year-old a new contract beyond the summer.
"Obviously it is a very important step for our club," Fernandes began. "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.
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"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."
TNT Sports pundit Karen Carney, meanwhile, felt Carrick deserved to be rewarded owing to Manchester United's flying form since he took charge earlier this year.
"I think he has [earned the permanent job]. I know some people say that he has only had the Premier League to focus on but he has still had to manage the group and get them playing intense football," Carney said.
"They have been more direct, more energised. I think he was clever bringing someone like Steve Holland in to support him and guide him with that bit of experience. So yeah, I think he has earned it."
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