Bruno Fernandes equaled the Premier League assists record as Manchester United secured a third-place finish with a 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The United captain is now level with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on 20 goals in a Premier League season, but the milestone moment came when Fernandes finally converted his fourth big chance of Sunday’s game when he crossed for a wasted Brian Mbeumo.
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Brian Mbeumo delicately converts Manchester United’s captain’s cross as Bruno Fernandes scores his record-equalling 20th assist.
Fernandes nearly snatched the record away when Diogo Dalot snatched the ball from him in the dying minutes and fired a shot at the foot of the far post.
But that aside, it was another outstanding performance from Fernandes, converting eight chances for his teammates on a day when the home fans waved goodbye to Casemiro, another midfield favorite leaving the club this summer.
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Casemiro and Michael Carrick addressed the home crowd at Manchester United’s final home game of the season, as many players bid farewell.
United’s last home game of the season got off to a dream start with Luke Shaw scoring a rare goal after just six minutes. Mbeumo should have made it 2-0 just after Senne Ramens had saved a one-on-one between Morgan Gibbs and White, when he rounded Mats Sells and hit the near post from an angle.
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Manchester United take an early lead against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League with Luke Shaw’s half-volley.
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Lamence deny Morgan Gibbs-White an equalizer and Brian Mbeumo hits the post after a dangerous counter-attack!
Mbeumo slipped a real man from close range just after half-time, as if an 11-game goalless streak was weighing heavily on his shoulders. United were then punished for their wayward finishing as Morato headed home Elliott Anderson’s great cross to level the score.
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Morato equalizes by heading in Anderson’s ‘great’ cross in Premier League match against Manchester United
United hit back immediately, but Matheus Cunha’s goal was controversial. The ball hit Mbeumo’s arm and the striker’s shot rebounded for Cunha to score.
The goal was awarded on-field, but after a lengthy check, VAR advised referee Michael Salisbury to go to the monitor, with many expecting a handout against Mbeumo. However, Salisbury stood by their original decision and scored the goal. “It’s shocking,” Sky Sports’ Gary Neville said on co-commentary.
United grabbed their third goal with 14 minutes remaining. Fernandes delivered a cross from the right and Mbeumo slotted the ball in. While all eyes were on Fernandes’ performance, there was a sense of relief in Mbeumo’s celebratory mood. Mbeumo squandered a great chance the captain had given him moments earlier, leaving Fernandes on his knees.
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Morgan Gibbs-White produced a superb finish against Manchester United in the Premier League to halve Forest’s goals conceded.
But the game wasn’t over. Anderson’s cross and Morgan Gibbs-White’s sharp finishing kept it close end-to-end until the end, but Dalot’s woodwork shot was brilliantly thwarted by Joshua Zirkzee by Sels.
But in the end it was an enjoyable and satisfying victory for United in front of their home fans, their last of the season. Forest manager will be hoping to give his home fans a similar send-off when they host Bournemouth on Sunday. Their place in the Premier League has already been secured and they will remain in 16th place.
Fernandes: “More than anything, I want a collective award.”
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes told Sky Sports:
“I want a collective award more than anything, but knowing that your work is recognized by so many people… so many players came up and told me I was the player of the season, and I’m very grateful for that.”
“Today we reached 20 (assists). Now we have one more game. The manager will decide who will play in the next game. I will be happy to do that. But even if it doesn’t happen, I’m already happy because this is the most assists I’ve had in the Premier League.”
Analysis: Creation King Fernandes
Bruno Fernandes created eight chances against Nottingham Forest, tied for the most by a player in a Premier League game this season.
Nick Wright of Sky Sports:
Bruno Fernandes matched the record with one assist, but could easily have had more.
The 31-year-old’s total of eight chances against Nottingham Forest was tied for the most by any player in a Premier League game this season, equaling his total against Newcastle in March and Rayan Cherki’s total against Manchester City and Burnley in April.
Fernandes has created a total of 132 chances this season. This is almost twice as many as the next highest scorer, Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai, with 74.
Carrick happy with strong finish to season at Old Trafford
Manchester United head coach Michael Carrick:
“It was a good day. We were really conscious of finishing on a good note. We made good progress as a team, as a group and as a club. It’s important that we finish the way we did for a number of reasons.”
On Fernandes’ assist: “It was a really great moment for everyone. It wasn’t easy so it’s all thanks to him.”
“But he always puts the team first, which is a great achievement.”
Neville talks about Cunha’s controversial goal
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Sky Sports’ Gary Neville is baffled after referee awards Cunha’s controversial goal
“It’s shocking in every sense of the word! It’s ridiculous, to be honest. The VAR result was clear: the player had handballed it. He watched it for three minutes and the referee watched it for another minute.”
“I can’t believe what I just saw. It was a handball. I don’t know what to say. We have to praise the referee for standing by his decision, but this was not the time for that.”
Pereira: Defeat decided by ‘very obvious’ handball
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira:
“Crazy game, crazy game. Maybe it was a good game for the supporters, but for the manager it was an open game. Especially in the second half, we allowed a lot of counter-attacks and were dangerous on the counter-attacks.”
“But I understand the team’s feelings. They want to score goals. But in the end we started to lose our organization, our balance. They had chances to score. We had chances to score too, but it’s unfortunate that the game was decided in the end. It’s the referee’s decision, it’s not my opinion, so I have to accept it.”
“For me, it was a handball. It was very clear. It’s sad that the goal wasn’t called off. For me, that was the decision that decided the game.”
“(The referee) thinks he controlled it with his hands after touching his body. (I have to accept that), but that’s not my opinion. In my opinion, he controlled the ball with his hands and the goal came from that control. Otherwise he wouldn’t have had a chance to take the shot and score.”
