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Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes has created 29 ‘big chances’ so far this season
Since arriving at Manchester United in 2020, Bruno Fernandes has not seriously challenged for the Premier League or Champions League titles. He did lift a couple of domestic cups under Erik ten Hag, and if United finish third this season, it will be their best league position in all but one of his campaigns at Old Trafford.
Still, that represents a modest return for a player many regard as United’s finest signing since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013—someone who deserves a spot among the club’s Premier League greats. On Friday, he was named the Football Writers’ Association’s Footballer of the Year.
But Fernandes is not one to chase individual accolades. Speaking to the media in October, he said: “I don’t see it that one player is better than another because he wins more trophies. Not every time the best player in the world is the one that wins the Ballon d’Or. I want to win trophies. I want to be recognised by the many good things I did for the club, for bringing something back to the club, not just my individual numbers.”
United won’t add any silverware this season, but Fernandes still has notable milestones ahead. He needs just one more assist to match the Premier League single-season record of 20, jointly held by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and former Manchester City star Kevin de Bruyne. Fernandes currently leads the league’s assist chart with 20, eight ahead of City’s Rayan Cherki, while West Ham’s Jarrod Bowen sits third with 10.
Beating the record clearly matters to Fernandes, who will be a key part of Portugal’s World Cup squad this summer. One of his United teammates even suggested that in the past, Fernandes might have shot instead of setting up striker Benjamin Sesko in a recent match against Brentford. Fernandes dismissed that idea.
Fernandes is also the frontrunner for the prestigious PFA Players’ Player of the Year award, which both Henry and De Bruyne won twice. Despite a lack of major trophies, would setting the assist record and claiming another player-of-the-year prize cement his legacy as one of the most creative forces in Premier League history?
Assists don’t always lead to trophies…
The title “assist king” often evokes a pure creator, but the reality is more nuanced. Over the past five seasons, Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah has topped the assist chart twice, while strikers Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) and Harry Kane (then at Tottenham) each did it once. None of these players is considered a playmaker in the mold of De Bruyne, who finished first on four occasions.
A better comparison with Fernandes, in terms of prizes won, might be Cesc Fabregas during his Arsenal years. In that period—seven seasons as a regular before leaving in 2011—the Spaniard led the league in assists twice. His most significant domestic trophy at Arsenal was the FA Cup, and he only won the Premier League after returning to England with Chelsea following a stint at Barcelona.
In the early Premier League years, Southampton’s Matt Le Tissier and Liverpool’s Steve McManaman each finished top of the assist chart without winning a league title. Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard topped the assists in 2013-14, won the PFA Player of the Year in 2006, and the FWA equivalent in 2009. Although he inspired Liverpool to a remarkable Champions League victory in 2005, Gerrard never won the league—yet no one questions his status as a Premier League great.
What’s next for Man Utd and Fernandes?
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Bruno Fernandes has scored 106 goals in 324 appearances for Manchester United
Whether Fernando’s future holds more records or silverware remains to be seen, but his individual brilliance continues to shine.
