Bruno Fernandes could break his own Premier League assists record next season, and Kobbie Mainoo may be the key to doing just that. The Manchester United captain etched his name into the history books against Brighton on the final day of the 2025/26 campaign, registering a record-breaking 21st league assist.
Fernandes‘ corner was headed home by Patrick Dorgu in the 33rd minute to hand Michael Carrick’s side the lead. The moment clearly meant far more to the United players than any regular goal, as they swarmed their captain, who had previously been level with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on a record-tying 20 assists.
The playmaker’s milestone crowned an incredible individual campaign, during which he also played a pivotal part in securing Champions League football once again — earning him both the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year awards in the process.
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Yet, remarkably, there is still scope for the 31-year-old to do better next season. Fernandes’ best form this term came when sharing the field with young midfielder Mainoo, who missed the majority of the season while Ruben Amorim was still in charge.
Amorim bizarrely snubbed the Englishman throughout his Old Trafford reign but Mainoo flourished under interim manager Carrick from January onwards. With Mainoo beside him in midfield, Fernandes racked up a staggering 17 assists.
He racked up 12 assists in just 16 matches when Mainoo featured from the start, underlining how productive their partnership could prove for United across a full campaign, despite an expected busy summer of midfield recruitment.
Mainoo’s regular presence in the side will be pivotal if Fernandes is to stand any chance of eclipsing the record he set only last month next term.
View 2 ImagesFernandes’ stats were boosted when playing alongside Kobbie Mainoo(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Fernandes’ assist tally fell drastically to just four when Mainoo was absent from the pitch — further evidence that he is at his most devastating alongside the deeper-lying Mainoo, who was previously mis-profiled as a No.10 by Amorim.
The 21-year-old is widely expected to play a significant role once more next season due to Carrick’s permanent appointment as manager.
There is, of course, the caveat that around half of the goals set up by Fernandes in the league came from corners. Nevertheless, should the duo start the full 38 games together next term, the Portugal international is projected to surpass even 21 assists.
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