Bruno Fernandes has rewritten history, breaking the Premier League record for assists in a single season after setting up 21 goals across the 2024-25 campaign — a feat that places him above Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry in the record books.
The Manchester United captain delivered the record-breaking assist on the final day of the season, when his corner was headed home by Patrick Dorgu in United's match against Brighton. He had equalled the previous record of 20 a week earlier, when Bryan Mbeumo converted a low cross from Fernandes as United beat Nottingham Forest.
Numbers that defy belief
The statistics behind Fernandes' season are extraordinary. Before the Brighton game, he had already created 132 chances — 58 more than the second-placed Dominik Szoboszlai of Liverpool. Since joining United in January 2020, Fernandes has created 670 chances in the Premier League, a staggering 238 ahead of De Bruyne in second place.
His 71 assists since his Premier League debut are the most by any player over that period, and only five players have scored more league goals than his 70. Among players combining goals and assists since 2020, only Mohamed Salah, with 193, surpasses Fernandes' tally of 141.
He also surpassed David Beckham's club record of 15 assists in a single season at Manchester United — a mark set back in 1999-00 — and his 72 league assists for the club across seven seasons draw him level with Tottenham's Son Heung-min.
The season that saved United's campaign
Fernandes' influence stretched far beyond individual records. After manager Michael Carrick took charge, the season hung in the balance. Fernandes delivered 17 goal contributions in 16 games — a run that swept United into the Champions League and changed the complexion of the entire campaign.
This time last year, there were genuine discussions about whether United should accept a substantial offer from Al-Hilal and use the funds to rebuild the squad. The club left the decision to Fernandes himself, and — reportedly after his wife asked him whether he had accomplished everything he set out to at Old Trafford — he chose to stay. It proved to be a decisive moment.
