MANCHESTER, England — Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has never neatly fit the mold of a “system” player.

Instead, he bends systems to his will, imposes himself on matches, and is increasingly cementing his place in Premier League history.

Just one assist shy of the single-season record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, with four matches remaining, Fernandes could reach the milestone on Sunday against Liverpool. He does so with his trademark urgency, edge, and creativity.

What sets the Portugal international apart is not only the volume of chances he creates but also the manner in which he creates them. His passing is ambitious—often risky, occasionally frustrating for critics who focus on misplaced balls rather than decisive ones.

Yet that willingness to take risks is central to his value.

Fernandes scans early and releases the ball forward before defenses are set, turning half-spaces into opportunities with disguised passes, clipped crosses, and threaded through balls that reward movement and bravery from teammates.

United teammate Casemiro has described the playmaker as the “heartbeat” of the side. Interim manager Michael Carrick believes Fernandes deserves recognition as the Premier League’s Player of the Year.

“Hopefully he does (win it),” Carrick said after Monday’s 2-1 win over Brentford. “He deserves it for the impact he has had and the moments he’s created, whether it’s creating or scoring or influencing the group. He’s had a big season.”

Fernandes is not a traditional No. 10 who drifts above the game. He works tirelessly off the ball, presses aggressively, and frequently drops deep to help progress possession when United struggle to build play.

That combination of high-risk creativity and relentless work rate has made him indispensable through managerial changes and inconsistent team form. Even when United have looked disjointed, the 31-year-old has continued to deliver.

FERNANDES SETS STANDARDS

Leadership is another often overlooked part of his game. Since taking the captaincy, Fernandes has carried responsibility openly and vocally, demanding higher standards and refusing anonymity on the pitch.

He plays with emotion close to the surface—arguing with referees one moment, sprinting back to cover defensively the next. It is intense, sometimes chaotic, but teammates appear to respond to his energy.

This season, those traits have been sharpened rather than muted. Given more freedom under Carrick to operate higher up the pitch and roam, Fernandes has helped make United’s attack more fluid and unpredictable.

His assists have come in many forms: precise set-piece deliveries, cutbacks from wide areas, and incisive passes between center backs. The variety reflects a player constantly searching for solutions.

Comparisons to Henry, who recorded 20 assists for Arsenal in the 2002-03 season, and De Bruyne, who matched the feat for Manchester City in 2019-20, highlight the significance of Fernandes’ pursuit. Both records came in dominant, attack-heavy teams.

By contrast, Fernandes’ campaign has come in a United side still rebuilding and adapting following a turbulent spell under former manager Ruben Amorim, often relying on moments of inspiration rather than sustained control.

That context adds weight to his output. Records, however, are not what drive Fernandes. He currently leads the league in assists by a wide margin, nine ahead of his nearest challenger, Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki.

While still far from the Premier League’s all-time assist record of 162 set by former United great Ryan Giggs, Fernandes continues to climb the club’s internal rankings.

He now has 70 assists in seven seasons at Old Trafford and this campaign has already seen him surpass David Beckham’s long-standing club record for most assists in a single Premier League season, eclipsing Beckham’s 15 assists from 1999-2000.

— Reporting by Lori Ewing; Editing by Ken Ferris/Reuters