Bruno Fernandes can go one step further if Manchester United give him the dream midfield partner
Bruno Fernandes can look to break his own Premier League assists record next season thanks to Kobbie Mainoo.
The Manchester United captain made history against Brighton on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign by claiming a record-breaking 21st league assist. Fernandes’ corner was headed home by Patrick Dorgu in the 33rd minute to give Michael Carrick’s side the lead.
But it was clearly more important than any regular goal to the United players as they mobbed their skipper, who had been tied with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on a record 20 assists beforehand.
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Fernandes’ milestone capped off an incredible individual campaign alongside playing a crucial role in the team securing Champions League qualification again, with his heroics clinching the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year awards.
And yet there is still scope for the 31-year-old to do better next season. Fernandes’ best form this term came when sharing the field with young midfielder Mainoo, who missed the majority of the season while Ruben Amorim was still in charge.
Amorim oddly shunned the Englishman throughout his Old Trafford tenure but Mainoo enjoyed a resurgence under interim boss Carrick from January onwards. With Mainoo on the pitch, Fernandes recorded a whopping 17 assists.
He incredibly notched 12 assists in 16 games when Mainoo started, showing how fruitful the partnership will be for United again across a full season, despite an expected summer of midfield incomings.
Mainoo’s regular involvement will be crucial if Fernandes hopes to stand a chance of shattering the record he set just last month next term.
Astonishingly, Fernandes’ assists fell drastically when Mainoo was not on the pitch to just four. That again shows Fernandes is most effective when playing alongside the deeper Mainoo, who was misprofiled as a No.10 by Amorim previously.
The 21-year-old is expected to play an important role again next campaign due to the permanent appointment of Carrick.
There is, of course, the caveat that around half of the goals set up by Fernandes in the league came from corners. Nevertheless, should the duo start the full 38 games together next term, the Portugal international is projected to exceed even 21 assists.
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