Manchester United secured a third-place finish in the 2025/26 Premier League season with a hard-fought 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, inspired by another historic performance from captain Bruno Fernandes.
Fernandes, recently named the Football Writers’ Association Footballer of the Year, equalled the Premier League record for most assists in a single season after registering his 20th assist of the campaign.
The Portuguese midfielder joined Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne as the only players to reach the landmark in one Premier League season.
The record-equalling assist came when Fernandes delivered a pinpoint cross that winter signing Bryan Mbeumo converted for United’s third goal of the game.
The encounter also produced controversy, with Mbeumo involved in the build-up to Matheus Cunha’s strike after an apparent handball went unpunished despite a VAR review.
“I want collective awards more than anything,” Fernandes said after the match.
“But knowing that your job is being recognised by many people, a lot of players came out and said I was player of the season; for that I am very grateful.
“I got to 20 today. We have one more game. The manager decides who will play the next game. I will be very happy to do it. But if I don’t, I am already happy because it is the most assists I have got in the Premier League.”
The victory extended Manchester United’s impressive run under interim manager Michael Carrick, who took charge in January and is reportedly close to signing a two-year deal to remain at Old Trafford.
“We’ve had some big, big moments, big goals and big results in this place over the last few months,” Carrick said in his end-of-season address to supporters.
“Hopefully there’ll be a few more of them.”
Both clubs had already achieved their primary objectives for the season, with Manchester United sealing a return to the Champions League while Nottingham Forest secured Premier League survival last weekend.
United will complete their league campaign away to Brighton & Hove Albion FC on May 24, while Forest host AFC Bournemouth at the City Ground.
Anthony Nlebem
Head of Sports at BusinessDay Media, a seasoned Digital Content Producer, and FIFA/CAF Accredited Journalist with over a decade of sports reporting.Has a deep understanding of the Nigerian and global sports landscape and skills in delivering comprehensive and insightful sports content.
