Bruno Fernandes is one step away from making history in the Premier League, and Michael Carrick has no doubts: the Portuguese midfielder deserves to be the Player of the Year in the most competitive league in world football. With his 19th assist of the season, Fernandes was decisive in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Brentford, a win that leaves the Red Devils virtually guaranteed a place in the next edition of the Champions League.
The Portuguese genius once again showcased his class by assisting Benjamin Sesko for the second goal of the night, leaving him just one assist shy of the Premier League record for a single season, held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry, both with 20 assists. But Fernandes did not stop there: he was also crucial in the buildup to the first goal, where his corner kick allowed Harry Maguire to head the ball back, setting up a perfect cross for Casemiro to finish. This victory puts Manchester United in a comfortable position, needing just two points from the four remaining games to secure their return to the European elite.
Michael Carrick, former midfielder and now assistant coach of the Red Devils, made his unconditional support for the Portuguese footballer clear: “I hope he is recognized, because he deserves it for the impact he has had and for the moments he has created, whether it’s creating, scoring, or the influence he has on the group. It’s been a huge season for Bruno.”
Casemiro, named man of the match, was also a protagonist off the pitch, with fans pleading for the Brazilian, at 34 years old, to reconsider his decision to leave the club this summer. However, Carrick was emphatic: “Everything is clear from both sides. Cas came from Real Madrid four years ago, gave everything he could give, and it’s time to move on.”
The assistant coach highlighted the value of the experienced midfielder: “He has had an enormous influence on the group, with his experience and quality. He has already achieved a lot in football and has given everything to the club. The connection he has with the fans is special, and it’s fair that they receive that recognition.”
Brentford arrived at Old Trafford with a defined plan to surprise, and could have created even more problems had it not been for Igor Thiago’s misses in crucial opportunities in the first half and Dango Outtara’s shot hitting the post in the second. The United’s second goal came from a quick counter-attack led by Fernandes, following a clearance by Amad Diallo from a visitor attack. Despite Mathias Jensen’s late goal, Brentford left frustrated but proud of their performance.
Brentford manager Keith Andrews expressed satisfaction with his team’s attitude, even after the defeat: “I was very pleased with our performance. United started better and scored from a corner, but then we controlled the ball and the game better. We needed to improve our transitions, especially in the first half. The second goal was frustrating in terms of timing, but the courage and commitment of the players were impressive.”
As the Premier League approaches its end, Bruno Fernandes is in a prime position to win an individual award recognizing his decisive influence on Manchester United and English football. The race for the title of best player is more interesting than ever, and the Portuguese midfielder wants to be the star that lights the way for the Red Devils towards the top of Europe.
This article first appeared on Apito Final.
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