Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League’s single-season assist record on Sunday as Manchester United edged Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford to continue their strong finish to the campaign.
Fernandes registered his 20th assist of the season with a precise cross that was converted by Bryan Mbeumo in the second half, drawing level with the long-standing record jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
The victory ensured United remained third in the table with one league game left, further strengthening the growing optimism around the club’s revival under interim manager Michael Carrick.
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Old Trafford erupted just five minutes into the contest when Luke Shaw drilled home from close range after Forest failed to clear their lines properly. It was Shaw’s first Premier League goal in more than three years.
Despite United’s bright start, Forest gradually settled into the game and created several dangerous moments before eventually finding an equaliser early in the second half.
Defender Morato powered in a close-range header in the 53rd minute after an inviting delivery from Elliot Anderson exposed United’s backline.
United responded almost immediately through Matheus Cunha, whose strike restored the hosts’ lead after a chaotic sequence in the build-up sparked major controversy.
The ball appeared to strike Mbeumo’s arm before Cunha fired home, prompting a lengthy VAR review. Referee Michael Salisbury, however, upheld the original decision after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
The decision infuriated Forest players and supporters, who believed the goal should have been disallowed for handball.
Forest nearly restored parity moments later when Morgan Gibbs-White broke through on goal, but goalkeeper Senne Lammens raced off his line to deny the England midfielder.
Fernandes’ landmark assist arrived in the 76th minute when his low cross found Mbeumo, who calmly finished to give United a two-goal cushion.
Forest, however, refused to collapse. Gibbs-White pulled one back shortly after, steering home Anderson’s dangerous cross to set up a tense finish at Old Trafford.
The midfielder was making his first appearance since suffering a serious facial injury during Forest’s recent clash with Chelsea, adding further emotion to his performance.
Fernandes almost broke the assist record outright in stoppage time, but Diogo Dalot struck the post after being played through by the Portuguese playmaker.
Reports in England suggest the former United midfielder is now close to agreeing a permanent two-year contract after overseeing a dramatic turnaround that has revived the club’s hopes ahead of next season’s UEFA Champions League return.
