Bruno Fernandes set up two goals in Manchester United’s 3-1 win against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, taking his premier league assist for the season to 16, which is one more than the 15 assists David Beckham recorded in the 1999-2000 season, a record that had stood for 25 years. 

Bruno Fernandes also hit another milestone in the same game, making a total of 100 assists across all competitions since joining Manchester United from Sporting Lisbon in 2020. 

Casemiro headed United in front from a Fernandes corner in the 53rd minute, but Villa replied with a goal scored by Ross Barkley, who shot a fine strike to level things up. United hit back through Matheus Cunha, who scored in the 71st minute, finishing off a nice pass from Fernandes. Substitute Benjamin Sesko, who came off the bench and made an immediate impact sealed the win by scoring in the 81st minute. 

When asked about breaking Beckham’s record, Fernandes was honest about what the name meant to him. He said he was also one of those kids who grew up trying to imitate Beckham, “even if you are just swinging your arm like he used to,” he joked. He was quick to put all personal achievements aside. “The main achievement would be finishing in the top spot at the end of the season,” he said. 

United are currently in third place in the Premier League, and are three points ahead of Villa in fourth, with eight games left. Interim manager Michael Carrick has now won seven out of his nine games in charge since taking after Ruben Amorin was sacked. 

With tough fixtures against Chelsea and Liverpool still to come, Manchester United will need Fernandes to keep doing exactly what he has been doing all season.

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