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Bruno Fernandes has attributed the tactical guidance provided by Michael Carrick as a crucial element behind his record-breaking creative output in the Premier League.
Since Carrick took charge in mid-January, Fernandes has racked up 11 assists in 13 top-flight appearances. Not only does this represent the highest total of any player across Europe's top five leagues during that same stretch, it also matches the entire La Liga season tally accumulated by Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal.
Many of Fernandes's recent assists have come specifically from the right channel of the attacking third, an area that was largely unavailable to him while operating as one of two central midfielders in Ruben Amorim's rigid system. Carrick wasted no time in restoring United's captain to the No. 10 role following a tactical reshuffle.
"I drift a lot into that zone now under Michael," Fernandes explained in a conversation with Opta. "He doesn't want me pinned in the centre, so he regularly asks me to find that pocket [of space]."
That shrewd tactical tweak has positioned Fernandes for a potentially landmark finish to the Premier League season. With four games still to play, the creative talisman has every opportunity to etch his name into the record books, potentially starting with Manchester United's high-profile derby clash against Liverpool on Sunday.
Most Assists in a Single Premier League Season
Rank / Player | Season | Assists |
|---|---|---|
T-1. Thierry Henry | 2002–03 | 20 |
T-1. Kevin De Bruyne | 2019–20 | 20 |
T-3. Bruno Fernandes | 2025–26 | 19 |
T-3. Mesut Özil | 2015–16 | 19 |
T-5. Kevin De Bruyne | 2016–17 | 18 |
T-5. Cesc Fàbregas | 2014–15 | 18 |
T-5. Frank Lampard | 2004–05 | 18 |
T-5. Mohamed Salah | 2024–25 | 18 |
This is the most prominent benchmark Fernandes is pursuing. No player in the Premier League's 34-year history has ever set up more than 20 goals for teammates in a single season. Remarkably, Kevin De Bruyne remains the only player to have matched the benchmark Thierry Henry established at Arsenal 23 years ago (though De Bruyne did not also score 24 league goals in that same campaign, as the iconic Frenchman did).
This record has clearly been weighing on Fernandes's mind of late. The attack-minded captain held back from attempting a single shot against Brentford on Monday evening, channelling his energy entirely into creating opportunities for his teammates. Benjamin Šeško ultimately converted one of the five chances Fernandes laid on, leaving the Portuguese midfielder just one short of the all-time record.
Should Matheus Cunha shake off his minor hip complaint in time to face Liverpool, the Brazilian looks set to be the primary beneficiary of Fernandes's unselfish approach. As Opta note, the summer signing has received 19 open-play chances created by his fellow Portuguese speaker—the highest figure any player has received from a single teammate throughout this Premier League campaign.
Most Set-Piece Assists in a Single Premier League Season
Rank / Player | Season | Assists |
|---|---|---|
1. Steven Gerrard | 2013–14 | 11 |
T-2. Bruno Fernandes | 2025–26 | 10 |
T-2. Muzzy Izzet | 2003–04 | 10 |
T-4. Chris Brunt | 2014–15 | 9 |
T-4. Nicky Shorey | 2007–08 | 9 |
Cunha may be the primary recipient of Fernandes's chance creation, but Casemiro has proven to be his most clinical partner. United's No. 8 has set the former Real Madrid midfielder up for six Premier League goals this season—another league-high figure—five of which have originated from set pieces.
Fernandes is just one free kick or corner away from equalling Steven Gerrard's record of 11 set-piece assists in a single top-flight season. It would be particularly apt for that milestone to be reached in a campaign that has been defined by dead-ball situations across the division. As Fernandes himself acknowledged, his attention to this aspect of his game has intensified in recent times.
"I'll be honest, five years ago I would step up to take a corner and simply whip the ball into the box and hope someone got on the end of it," he admitted. "These days I have to target a specific spot, so sometimes it's actually harder to get an assist from a set piece than it is in open play."
The Other Milestones Bruno Fernandes Is Chasing This Season
Assists aside, Fernandes is not exactly riding a wave of clinical finishing from those around him. The 31-year-old is just five chances away from equalling his personal best of 119 chances created in a single Premier League season. Whatever brilliance Fernandes produces against Liverpool, catching the all-time competition record of 146 set by Mesut Özil for Arsenal in 2015–16 remains well beyond reach.
Nevertheless, there is a very real possibility that Fernandes will overtake Cristiano Ronaldo's record for direct Premier League goal contributions (goals and assists combined) at United. The two are currently level on 140 apiece. David Beckham sits just ahead on 142, while Paul Scholes (162), Ryan Giggs (271) and Wayne Rooney (276) remain comfortably out of range.