Ageing like a fine wine: The remarkable figures that place Bruno Fernandes at the top of the modern-era assist charts
Manchester United’s Portuguese star has managed 20 Premier League assists this season, and needs one more on Sunday to hold the outright record
With just one game to go until the season draws to a close, Bruno Fernandes has the opportunity to make history by registering the most assists by any player in single Premier League campaign.
The Portuguese playmaker has equalled the league assist record by setting up Bryan Mbeumo in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Having amassed as many as 20 assists thus far, Fernandes is one shy from setting all-time record in the English top-flight by overtaking former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry (2002/03) and Manchester City legend Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20).
“When I got to 19, you start thinking a little bit,” he said.
“I had never done 19 either, so even if I had finished with 19, I would be very happy. Obviously, it’s a proud moment. We’re speaking about Thierry and Kevin, two of the main names of the Premier League, and for me I’m very grateful and very happy to do it.”
The Red Devils are set to face Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday and despite having nothing to play for after having secured Champions League qualification for the next season, Fernandes is aware that his teammates would do anything to see him break the record.
“It doesn’t change the way I play my game, so I will still have to create things for my team, and hopefully it can happen but if it doesn’t, I’m already very happy because I’ve never done 20 assists in the Premier League,” he said.
“My team-mates were aware but they are aware also I try everything I can to help them. I didn’t want to make it about myself because at the end of the day scoring the goal is the biggest thing in football and I wanted Bryan to celebrate his goal because if he doesn’t put it in the back of the net, my record will not be there.”
It should be noted that 10 of his assists have come from open play, while six came from corner kicks and the other four from free kicks.
Bruno Fernandes compared to other greats over 30
Fernandes has been showing no signs of slowing down with age – quite the opposite. Currently aged 31, the Portugal international boasts an extraordinary assist-per-game ratio since he turned 30 in September 2024.
Compared with other great creative midfielders of recent times past the age of 30, Fernandes is closing in on the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva, but boasts a superior assists per game ratio than anyone.
Having recorded 30 assists in 67 games, Fernandes tops the charts among modern-era Premier League playmakers with 0.448 assists per game. He is followed by De Bruyne (0.380), David Silva (0.296), Steven Gerrard (0.196) and Frank Lampard (0.164).
It now remains to be seen if he can end the season with another assist that would see him etch his name into the history books.
