Bruno Fernandes delivered a standout Premier League season for Manchester United, setting a new single-season assists record and contributing goals in a 3-0 win at Brighton. United captain Fernandes recorded his 21st league assist by setting up Patrick Dorgu, then added a goal early in the second half. Manager Michael Carrick expressed confidence Fernandes will stay, citing his influence, leadership, and enjoyment of playing for the club. Fernandes previously declined a move to Saudi Arabia and helped United secure Champions League qualification after a disappointing prior campaign. Carrick also signed a two-year contract and credited the team’s consistency while emphasizing continued improvement for next season.
""He's such an influence for us and he's been the captain and led by example in different ways," Carrick said of Fernandes. Having initially been asked if he was optimistic about keeping the Portugal international, Carrick continued: "I've got no reason to think otherwise. "We've loved what he's done and he loves being here, I think you can see that. "He wanted to stay on (the pitch), he wants to stay on every single game because he's enjoying his football, which is fantastic.""
"Fernandes capped a stellar campaign by breaking the competition's single-season assists record and scoring in Sunday's emphatic 3-0 win at Brighton. Following last year's 15th-placed finish under Ruben Amorim, the 31-year-old turned down the chance to move to Saudi Arabia before helping third-placed United secure Champions League qualification this term. United's resounding victory at a sweltering Amex Stadium came two days after Carrick signed a two-year contract to remain in charge."
"Fernandes set up Patrick Dorgu's 33rd-minute opener to claim his 21st league assist of the season and break a record previously shared with Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry. Bryan Mbeumo doubled United's lead in the closing minutes of the first half before Fernandes rifled home a third early in the second period. Carrick has revived United's fortunes with 12 wins from 17 league matches following the turbulent tenure of Amorim and believes there is a "strong foundation" for next season."
""I'm delighted I'm here for longer and we need to keep progressing," he said. "There's work to do. You've got to keep improving, we want to be a little bit better but it's so, so encouraging doing it from this place. "The boys need a lot of credit for how consistent they've been and the different ways we've won"
Read at Irish Independent
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