Bruno Fernandes has four games left to become the best assistant of the Premier League in a single season. The Portuguese, the best passer in the championship, added his 19th assist in the victory against Brentford and lurks the record of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.
The French, in the season 2002-2003, and the Belgian, in 2019-2020, reached 20 assists, a record that no one has managed to break to date and that Fernandes now see closer than ever.
The Portuguese, who has provided assists in his last three games with United, did not miss the event and, although he only told him about the 2-0 score, his pass also led to Monday’s 1-0 scoreline.
A Fernandes corner at the far post was headed and extended by Harry Maguire, and Casemiro entered alone, avoiding the entire Brentford defense, to score his ninth goal of the season, the most prolific of his career, surpassing the six he scored with Real Madrid in 2020-2021.
When the United took the lead, Brentford enjoyed a series of chances that well deserved the tie, in addition to a possible handball from Ayden Heaven which the referee rejected.
On one of those failed Brentford chances, United created a counterattack and Bruno ran with twenty meters ahead and two options: Mbeumo on one side and Benjamin Sesko on the other.
The Portuguese held on until just the right moment to make up his mind and hand the ball to Sesko, who, with a subtle feint, left Collins behind with his left foot and finished with his right hand. Fifth goal for the Slovenian in the last nine games.
Brentford, who are chasing European places, did not give up despite being two goals behind and, after a header against Dango Ouattara’s post, Mathias Jensen managed to pull one back in the 87th minute thanks to a shot from outside the area.
In the five-minute stoppage time that the referee added, Brentford tried to besiege Senne Lammens’ goal, but the “Red Devils” held on and have the Champions League practically assured. They are eleven points ahead of sixth place, with twelve to play.
Keith Edwards’ “Bees” remain ninth, with 48 points, one of the European positions.