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Bruno Fernandes vowed not to change the way in which he plays as the Manchester United captain has just 90 minutes left this season to surpass Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in the Premier League record books.
Fernandes teed up Bryan Mbeumo in the second half of Sunday’s pulsating 3-2 home win over Nottingham Forest, taking him to 20 Premier League assists this season, equalling the tallies of Henry and De Bruyne from yesteryear.
With just 90 minutes left of Manchester United’s season as they prepare to finish the campaign away to Brighton on Sunday, Fernandes is in the last chance saloon for his shot at history.
‘[The record] doesn’t change the way I play my game,’ Fernandes said, speaking pitch side just moments after the final whistle.
‘I will still have to create things for my team and hopefully it can happen. But if it doesn’t happen, I’m already very happy because I’ve never done 20 assists in the Premier League. I’ve never done 19 either, so even if I had finished with 19, I would be very happy.’
Fernandes is well trained to give the PR-friendly answer but it is painfully obvious how much claiming the assist record means to not just the United captain but to the entire squad.
Bruno Fernandes has 20 Premier League assists this season and is one away from the record
When Mbeumo converted Fernandes’ right-wing cross against Forest, team-mates raced over to Fernandes to celebrate with him. Even goalkeeper Senne Lammens ran the length of the pitch to be involved.
‘They all were aware and I think they’re all aware that I try everything I can to help them, so I’m very grateful to see their reaction,’ Fernandes said in response to Daily Mail Sport’s question.
‘More than mine,’ he added, ‘because I wanted Bryan [Mbeumo] to celebrate his goal. 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.
‘All credit to Bryan because if he doesn’t put it in the back of the net, my record will not be there. So these records only come if your team-mates do the things right as you do.’
Having failed to draw level with Henry and De Bruyne in the previous match, a 0-0 draw at Sunderland, Fernandes knew just how big an opportunity this was and his relief appeared obvious, having fallen to his knees earlier in the game when Mbeumo spurned a golden chance for the twentieth assist.
‘I wouldn’t say relieved, but I’m very happy, very proud,’ Fernandes concluded.
‘When you start getting close to [the record], you start thinking a lot.
‘Obviously it comes into your mind, you know? I’m very proud. We’re speaking about Thierry and Kevin, two of the main names of the Premier League, and for me I’m very grateful and I’m very happy to achieve it. It’s a very proud moment.’
