Bruno Fernandes records 20th assist

Bruno Fernandes matched the Premier League’s single-season assist record on May 17 when he set up Bryan Mbeumo in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford. The assist was Fernandes’ 20th in the 2025-26 league season, drawing him level with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, according to the Premier League. The result also secured United a third-place finish with one match left, the league table showed. Social posts and match recaps on May 18 then turned the milestone into one of the main talking points from United’s weekend. ### Which pass made it 20 for Fernandes? Bruno Fernandes reached the mark in the 77th minute against Nottingham Forest, when his delivery created United’s third goal for Bryan Mbeumo, the Premier League said. The official league account said the assist took Fernandes to 20 for the season, equaling the competition record held by Henry and De Bruyne. The Premier League said the record had previously been set by Henry in 2002-03 and matched by De Bruyne in 2019-20. Fernandes’ season total now places him alongside those two players at the top of the league’s single-season chart. ### Who did Fernandes draw level with? Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne are the two players Fernandes joined on 20 assists in a Premier League season, according to the league’s records page. Henry reached the figure for Arsenal, while De Bruyne did so for Manchester City. Yahoo Sports and other match reports published on May 18 also described Fernandes as having equaled the record in United’s win over Forest. Those reports identified the assist for Mbeumo as the play that moved him level with the mark. ### How did the result affect Manchester United’s league position? Manchester United moved to 68 points from 37 matches with the win, and the official Premier League table listed the club in third place. Aston Villa, in fourth, had 62 points, leaving United beyond reach with one round remaining. Firstpost and other recaps of the match also reported that the 3-2 result guaranteed United third place. (premierleague.com) The game finished with goals from Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha and Mbeumo for United, while Nottingham Forest scored twice in the second half. ### Why did the milestone draw so much attention on May 18? (premierleague.com) May 18 coverage focused on the combination of the record and the table position. Social media posts cited in the source briefings praised Fernandes after the match, while follow-up articles highlighted that United’s captain had delivered the assist in a game that sealed third place. The Athletic described Fernandes’ chase for the record as the product of a season built on consistency and invention. (firstpost.com) The Premier League’s own write-up framed the assist as the moment he drew level with Henry and De Bruyne. ### What comes next for Fernandes and United? The official Premier League standings still show one match remaining in the 2025-26 season for Manchester United. Fernandes will have one more league appearance to move beyond 20 assists and take the record outright, based on the league schedule and table status. Manchester United’s next step is that final league fixture, with the club already confirmed in third place. (nytimes.com) Fernandes enters it level with Henry and De Bruyne on 20 assists, according to the Premier League. (premierleague.com 1) (premierleague.com 2)