PRESS RELEASE: Bruno Fernandes Shatters Premier League Assist Record with Historic 21st in Final Day Masterclass

May 24, 2026 May 24, 2026 Paul Daniel

Paul Daniel

Manchester, England — Bruno Fernandes, captain and talisman of Manchester United, has rewritten the history books by becoming the first player in Premier League history to record 21 assists in a single season, sealing the landmark achievement on the final day of the 2025-26 campaign against Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium.

The Record-Breaking Moment

In the 33rd minute of United's commanding 3-0 victory over Brighton, Fernandes whipped in a pinpoint corner that Patrick Dorgu powered home with a thunderous header. The moment was immediately recognised by teammates, coaching staff, and supporters alike — Bruno Fernandes had done the impossible. He had gone where no Premier League player had ever gone before.

The previous record of 20 assists in a single Premier League season had stood for over two decades, jointly held by Arsenal's Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20). Fernandes did not merely match that record — he surpassed it, etching his name into football immortality.

A Season of Extraordinary Creative Dominance

What makes this achievement even more extraordinary is the context in which it unfolded. Fernandes did not register his first assist of the 2025-26 season until October 19, when he set up Harry Maguire's winner at Anfield in a stunning 2-1 victory over Liverpool. From that point forward, he delivered at a staggering rate of 0.8 assists per game — a pace that no midfielder in the modern era has sustained across a full top-flight season.

The Portuguese maestro finished the campaign with 9 goals and 21 assists across 38 Premier League appearances — numbers that transcend the traditional midfield role and blur the line between playmaker and match-winner. He was named the EA SPORTS Premier League Player of the Season just 24 hours before sealing the record, and also claimed the Football Writers' Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award — making 2025-26 the most decorated individual season of his career.

A Record That Spans Continents

The significance of Fernandes' achievement is not limited to England. With 21 Premier League assists, he joins Lionel Messi (Barcelona, La Liga 2019-20) and Thomas Muller (Bayern Munich, Bundesliga 2019-20) as the only players in the history of Europe's top five leagues to register 21 assists in a single campaign. It is a list that reads like a who's who of football genius — and Bruno Fernandes now stands among them.

A Record Within a Record

The corner kick that produced his 21st assist also etched his name into another piece of Premier League history. With 11 set-piece assists across the 2025-26 season, Fernandes equalled Steven Gerrard's record for the most assists from set-piece situations in a single Premier League campaign, set during the 2013-14 season. His delivery from dead-ball situations has been a weapon that defenders across England have been unable to contain.

Quotes and Reactions

While official quotes from Fernandes and Manchester United are expected to be released through the club's official channels, the moment drew immediate and widespread acclaim from across the footballing world. Teammates were seen mobbing the Portuguese captain on the pitch the moment Dorgu's header hit the net, fully aware of the history being made in real time.

What's Next for Fernandes

With 72 Premier League assists to his name in total, Fernandes currently sits 17th on the all-time list. At his current rate of production, he is on course to break into the top 10, with James Milner's tally of 90 the next realistic target. In all competitions for Manchester United, Fernandes has now contributed 104 assists — making him the fourth-most prolific assist provider in the club's history behind Ryan Giggs (249), Wayne Rooney (127), and David Beckham (115).

One thing is certain: the 2025-26 Premier League season will be remembered as the year Bruno Fernandes redefined what a No.8 can be. He did not just break a record — he made history for Manchester United, for Portugal, and for the beautiful game.