On the closing day of the 2024-25 English Premier League season at Brighton’s Amex Stadium, Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes etched his name into league history by claiming the outright single-season assist record, capping off a breathtaking individual campaign that has helped steer the Red Devils back to the upper echelons of English football.
The deadlocked matchup against Brighton remained goalless until the 33rd minute, when a precise Fernandes corner found rookie teammate Patrick Dorgu, who hammered home a powerful header. That strike pushed Fernandes’ league assist total to 21, breaking the previous benchmark of 20 that he had shared alongside two of the Premier League’s greatest playmakers: Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and Manchester City’s star midfielder Kevin De Bruyne.
The milestone was far from the only highlight of Fernandes’ day. After winger Bryan Mbeumo extended United’s lead to two goals, the Portuguese playmaker got on the scoresheet himself in the 48th minute. Collecting a return pass from Dorgu, Fernandes drilled a low, clinical shot into the bottom corner of Brighton’s net to notch his ninth league goal of the campaign and put the game out of reach at 3-0.
Fernandes’ historic performance capped off a remarkable collective turnaround for Manchester United this season. Working under interim manager Michael Carrick, the club climbed steadily through the table to finish third, locking in automatic qualification for the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League – a massive achievement for a side that struggled for consistency in recent campaigns.
The new assist record adds to a growing list of individual honors for the United captain, coming just 24 hours after he was named the Premier League’s official Player of the Season. He had already claimed the Football Writers’ Association’s equivalent award earlier this month, cementing his status as the league’s most impactful player this term.
Speaking last week ahead of the final matchweek, Fernandes emphasized that team success will always outstrip personal accolades for him. “I want collective awards more than anything,” he said. “But knowing that your job is being recognised by many people, a lot of players came out and said I was player of the season, for that I am very grateful.”