David Beckham at risk of losing prized 26-year-old Manchester United record

Bruno Fernandes is closing in on astonishing David Beckham record as his sparkling form continues.

The Manchester United midfielder is having a season which could see him create history.

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The Red Devils have had a turbulent season so far, with manager Ruben Amorim being sacked mid-season.

Fernandes, meanwhile, revealed that he felt the club had wanted him to leave in the summer.

In the run up to the January transfer window the 31-year-old claimed the United board were willing to sell him to Al Hilal in the Saudi Pro League which left him feeling ‘hurt’.

However, since Michael Carrick has taken charge as interim manager, United have been on form and are undefeated in all games with their ex-player at the helm.

One player making a real difference is Fernandes, who has made five assists in the last four games.

Fernandes was able to lay on two goals in their 3-2 win against Fulham, including Benjamin Sesko’s injury time winner.

Carrick recently praised his player, saying the whole club owes him a lot of credit.

“His consistency of performances, his level of performances, his willingness to always put himself out there and physically being able to do it,” the interim boss said.

“Bruno’s been fantastic since I’ve been here, he was fantastic when I was here before.”

Fernandes has set up 12 goals already this season, an impressive feat he previously reached in the 2020/21 season.

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However, this year he has plenty of time to improve on that achievement.

Not many Manchester United players have been able to create as many goals as this in a single season, except a few.

This includes Old Trafford icon Beckham, who was able to assist more than 12 goals in two separate seasons.

He initially created history in 1997/98 when he was able to lay on 13 goals in a single Premier League campaign.

Although, his incredible contribution couldn’t be truly appreciated as the Manchester side were pipped to the title by Arsenal.

Beckham then had another record-breaking season in the 1999/2000 season, where he created 15 in a year the club won the Premier League title for a sixth time.

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Only two other players, excluding Beckham, in United’s history have reached more assists in a single Premier League season than Fernandes – Antonio Valencia in 2011/12 and Nani in 2010/11.

Nani registered 14 in the 2010/11 season, a year which saw United become champions again and one which made Sir Alex Ferguson the longest-serving manager in the club’s history.

Meanwhile, Valencia reached thirteen assists in the following year, a season which saw him win Man United Players’ Player of the Year.

There have been a handful of United players who have also reached 12 assists in a season including many of Beckham’s teammates, such as Ryan Giggs (1999/2000 and 2001/02) and Eric Cantona (1993/94 and 1996/97).

Cantona also reached sixteen assists in 1992/93, however this was for Leeds United.

In the Premier League, Arsenal’s Thierry Henry and Manchester City’s Kevin De Bruyne hit 20 assists in one season, which could be a big aim for the United captain, with 14 games to go.

Fernandes can beat his own record as early as this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur and could move up in the ranks swiftly.

Don’t let Fernandes leave

However, this season could be his last in a Man United shirt amid increasing speculation that he could leave.

The 31-year-old has had numerous lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League, which are likely to ramp up once again this summer.

talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent Alex Crook told our Inside Devils YouTube show that he should not be allowed to leave.

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He said: “There’s been a lot of debate and obviously he’s got this ridiculously low release clause. Of less than £60m that a top club in Europe can activate in the summer. 

“I’m going to plead with Jason Wilcox, Omar Barada, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and all the Glazers. Do not let Bruno Fernandes leave. 

“He still has so much to offer this football club. He is still United’s best player.

“He comes up with goals. He comes up with assists. He comes up with passes that nobody else in a red shirt can see. Let alone make.

“It would be a massive error. Even though I know he’s entering the veteran stage of his career. Maybe you can trade him in for a younger model, but do not let Bruno Fernandes leave this football club next summer.”