“Bruno Fernandes one step away from equaling the assist record in the Premier League.”

Bruno Fernandes is on the verge of making history in the Premier League as he dangerously approaches the assist record set by legends such as Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry. In an era where creativity reigns supreme, the Portuguese midfielder of Manchester United has demonstrated absolute dominance in assists, establishing himself as one of the most influential players in the competition.

In the decisive match against Brentford, Bruno Fernandes shone by providing the crucial assist for Benjamin Sesko, in a play that sealed the victory for the Red Devils by 2-1. With this pass, Fernandes is now just one assist away from equaling the record of 20 assists in a single season, held by De Bruyne (Manchester City, 2019/20) and Henry (Arsenal, 2002/03). With four games remaining in the season, including Super Sunday against Liverpool, the Portuguese is perfectly positioned to surpass these historic marks.

Since arriving at Old Trafford in January 2020 from Sporting, Bruno Fernandes has never reached such a high level in terms of assists in a single season. With 19 assists so far, the Portuguese international has nearly doubled the number of the second-best assist provider of the season, with Rayan Cherki (Manchester City) and Jarrod Bowen (West Ham) trailing with just 10 assists each.

The numbers do not lie: Fernandes created 114 goal-scoring opportunities, a figure overwhelmingly superior to that of his closest competitors, Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) and Declan Rice (Arsenal), who managed only 61. In terms of big chances created, the United midfielder also leads with 28 key passes, demonstrating his ability to unlock tight defenses.

One of Fernandes’ most effective weapons has been his talent for set pieces. Of the 19 assists recorded this season, 10 came from corners and direct free kicks, an impressive record that far surpasses the numbers of Henry and De Bruyne in their record-breaking seasons, with only 2 and 3 set piece assists, respectively. However, Fernandes is not just a specialist in static plays: he also leads in creating opportunities in open play, proving to be a complete creator.

The value of assists also depends on the ability of teammates to finish, but the data provided by xA (expected assists) places Bruno Fernandes at the top since his debut in the Premier League, confirming the quality of the chances he generates for his team.

For Liverpool, Bruno Fernandes is a name that causes nightmares. Back in October, at Anfield, it was thanks to a perfect cross from the Portuguese that Harry Maguire scored the winning goal for the Red Devils. This Sunday, with the possibility of equaling a record that has stood for 23 years, Fernandes can further solidify his status as a candidate for Player of the Season in the Premier League.

While Fernandes dominates in attack, another player is catching attention in Liverpool’s defense. Curtis Jones, despite not being a definitive solution for the right-back position, has surprised by effectively taking on this role. The 25-year-old, who is naturally a midfielder, has become the sixth Liverpool player to start at right-back this season, following Connor Bradley, Dominik Szoboszlai, Jeremie Frimpong, Joe Gomez, and Wataru Endo.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Jones’s adaptation: “He has hardly played in that position in his career, and the way he is performing it is a huge compliment.” While he still has much to learn, Curtis Jones has added value in ball possession, showing comfort and contributing to the team’s fluidity.

If Trent Alexander-Arnold was a unique exception in terms of defensive creativity, Curtis Jones is demonstrating that he can also be a solid and effective alternative at right-back, at least for the present.

With Bruno Fernandes on the verge of breaking the assist record and Curtis Jones impressing in defense, this Super Sunday clash between Manchester United and Liverpool promises to be an epic battle, where every pass and every play can make a difference. Get ready for a high-level football spectacle, with the Premier League showcasing why it is the most exciting league in the world.

This article first appeared on Apito Final.