Bruno Fernandes on course to break little-known Kevin De Bruyne Premier League record on final day

Anything Kevin De Bruyne can do, Bruno Fernandes can do better.

Well, almost.

The Manchester United skipper set up Luke Shaw’s goal in a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday for his 20th Premier League assist this season, placing him alongside De Bruyne and Thierry Henry at the top of the all-time Premier League assist chart.

But with one league fixture remaining, there’s a chance Fernandes can surpass the duo and claim the record for himself.

Yet there’s another record of De Bruyne’s that Fernandes will look to secure during United’s final game of the season away at Brighton.

Which record of De Bruyne’s can Fernandes claim?

De Bruyne holds the record for the most big chances created in a single Premier League season.

The Belgian maestro set the bar in the 2019/20 campaign, when he created a whopping 33 big chances in 35 games.

Unsurprisingly, that season was when De Bruyne nabbed 20 league assists.

De Bruyne’s remarkable assist tally was reflected in the fact City scored a whopping 102 league goals that term, four behind the all-time record (106).

But Fernandes is just one shy of equalling De Bruyne’s record for big chances created as he sits on 32 from 34 games played.

Impressively, it’s the second time Fernandes has created 32 big chances in a single season, having done so in 2022/23.

The Portuguese star also has eight goals to his name this term, although he last struck seven games ago in a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth on March 20.

Most big chances created in the Premier League (since 2010/11)

33 – Kevin De Bruyne (2019/20)

32 – Bruno Fernandes (2022/23, 2025/26)

31 – Kevin De Bruyne (2022/23)

28 – Ryan Fraser (2018/19)

28 – Mesut Ozil (2015/16)

* Stats provided by Opta

Regardless of whether Fernandes surpasses De Bruyne’s records, he has looked a player revitalised under interim United boss Michael Carrick.

Michael Carrick reacts to Bruno Fernandes’ achievement

As for Carrick, he has been delighted with Fernandes’ output of late and was especially complementary of the skipper’s team-first mentality.

When asked on how he congratulated Fernandes after equalling the Premier League assist record, Carrick said: “It’s a little bit chaotic down on the pitch and in the dressing room, so I’ve not had much to say.

“It’s a tricky one, he’s dealt with it really well, to be honest.

“For me, watching from the side, you’re thinking ‘what’s going through his head? Is he looking for a pass or to score. Is he second-guessing it?’

“I think he coped with it fantastically well and it was a really nice moment for everybody. Credit to him for that. It’s not easy.

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“But he always puts the team first and today was another one of those days, even though he’s going to get the praise because it is a fantastic achievement.”

Fernandes’ last chance to break the all-time assist record and create the most big chances comes against Brighton on Sunday, with that fixture, along with all other matches on the final day, to kick off at 4pm.

Speaking to talkSPORT about matching Henry and De Bruyne’s assist record, Fernandes said: “We are talking about two of the best players that the Premier League has ever seen.

“I am very happy to be in their company with this assists record because it’s not easy.”

In terms of breaking the record, talkSPORT host Sam Matterface asked Fernandes if he was frustrated it didn’t happen today.

To which Fernandes responded: “No, I am not [frustrated]. I am very happy that Bryan got back to scoring – that is more important than me breaking the record.

“I wanted to break the record and serve my teammates because that is what my game is about.

“I created a lot, as I have in many other games, and it is one of the best qualities I have.”