Of all the records that have been set in the Premier League, not many are as iconic as the assist record of 20, previously set by Thierry Henry at Arsenal and then matched by Kevin De Bruyne at Manchester City.
After Saturday’s outing against Nottingham Forest, Manchester United ensured that their captain, Portuguese midfielder Bruno Fernandes, matched that record, making him one of just three elite creators in the Premier League’s history.
They have been riding on the former Sporting CP man’s creative wave and, as a result, carried themselves back to the UEFA Champions League. Now, they have put the icing on the cake by helping him match the record.
Now, Fernandes has long proven to be a top-class player, but what makes his achievement striking compared to Henry’s and De Bruyne’s is the context around it. Henry produced his 20 assists while leading one of Arsenal’s greatest-ever sides, while De Bruyne did it in Pep Guardiola’s dominant Manchester City system. Fernandes, meanwhile, has delivered the same numbers during a turbulent period for Manchester United, where he has carried the creative burden almost alone.
Can Fernandes break the record?
The answer appears to be yes. With one game left, his teammates will be more than motivated to add the cherry on top of the cake by helping him set a new one. With one league game remaining, Fernandes now has the opportunity to stand alone atop the Premier League assist rankings. The numbers already suggest that he should be there. Multiple analyses throughout the season have highlighted how many chances he has created compared to the finishing quality around him.
One of the reasons is that Fernandes is different from many traditional playmakers. He is not a conservative passer focused on retaining possession to release a ‘cute’ pass or a carefully planned through ball. His game is built around risk: he sees space, sights a teammate who could possibly run into it, and pings the ball in that direction with ambition and verticality.
He is constantly attempting difficult through balls, early crosses, and progressive passes that can immediately destabilise opponents. Under interim manager Michael Carrick (soon to be confirmed permanent, according to reports), Fernandes has also been given greater positional freedom, which has allowed him to take more risks with his playmaking. That tactical liberty has significantly increased his influence in transition moments and final-third combinations. Given the form he is in, it would not be surprising if he breaks the record outright before the season ends.
Does this make Fernandes one of the Premier League’s greatest players ever?
In terms of creativity, the argument is becoming difficult to ignore. Fernandes has already surpassed David Beckham’s long-standing Manchester United assist record for a single Premier League season, while also becoming the defining figure of the club’s post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The broader debate, however, is more complicated. Premier League greatness is usually tied to trophies, longevity, and cultural impact. Fernandes has the numbers and influence, but he still lacks the league titles and European triumphs that elevated players like De Bruyne, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, and Henry into untouchable status.
Still, purely from a creative standpoint, Fernandes is now operating in historic territory. Matching Henry and De Bruyne is not accidental. It is proof that he belongs in the conversation alongside the Premier League’s greatest creators. And if he breaks the record outright, that conversation will only grow louder.