Manchester United 25/26: a Magnum Opus from a Portuguese Orchestrator
The end of the 2025-2026 Premier League season saw our Portuguese magnifico Bruno Fernandes showing world class form in the 6 remaining games, as well as breaking the historic assist record set by Thierry Henry and matched by Kevin de Bruyne. With Portugal looking their strongest in years, could an outstanding performance at the World Cup carry him towards individual accolades?
The Premier League Run-In began with a disciplined 1-0 win against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge courtesy of a Matheus Cunha strike assisted by… you guessed it… FERNANDES. The Manchester United captain sent a brilliant ball across the 6 yard box that the Brazilian met with some style, with the win being sealed by some resolute defense and minor goalkeeping heroics.
The next game against Brentford did involve another moment of Bruno brilliance in assisting Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko, but the plaudits for the match should be reserved for Casemiro. The Brazilian midfielder had an astounding 25 defensive actions against the Bees, including 10 tackles and 9 clearances. The 34 year old had opened the scoring with a towering header assisted by defensive stalwart Harry Maguire. While he had been an option for the Fernandes pass that assisted Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo continued his goalless streak. While the Cameroonian had struggled in terms of goal contributions at this point in the season, he offers so much to the shape and structure of the United front line that small droughts can be forgiven.
The fantastic 3-2 win against Liverpool was a perfect summary of Manchester United’s season. Cunha, Sesko, and Mainoo scored 3 scrappy goals to force a win over an admittedly depleted Liverpool side, with the scousers never really looking in control outside of a silky finish from their player of the season Dominik Szoboszlai. Though United had to fight back for the lead after Gakpo’s strike had leveled the match 2-2, there was something about the determination of the Red Devils to not settle for a single point. That kind of gusto hasn’t been seen at Old Trafford in ages, and it shows just how much the team has grown from the lows of Erik Ten Hag’s reign at the United touchline.
A much rotated Manchester United side faced Sunderland and were lucky to escape with a 0-0 draw after a monstrous performance from Senne Lammens. The Premier League signing of the season prevented an xG on Target of 1.81 with 4 saves, meaning he kept his side from conceding 2 goals. The big Belgian has been an absolute revelation between the sticks for Michael Carrick’s side, and looks likely to take over from Thibaut Courtois after the current golden generation of Belgium is set out to pasture.
The regressive performance against Sunderland was quickly redeemed by a 3-2 win at home against Nottingham Forest. A rare goal from Luke Shaw during the 5th minute set up what was a contentious affair, with Matheus Cunha pulling the lead back immediately after Forest equalized in the 53rd minute. Bruno Fernandes got his record-equaling 20th assist with a 76th minute bullet cross to Bryan Mbeumo, who turned home the effort to break his own goal drought. Morgan Gibbs-White added a little pressure to maintain the advantage with his own strike minutes later, but the Red Devils held on to seal the win.
The final day of the Premier League season saw United smash past Brighton & Hove Albion with a 3-0 win. In the 33rd minute Patrick Dorgu headed home a Bruno Fernandes corner in his return to the starting XI, giving the Portuguese maestro the record breaking 21st assist to hold the most in a Premier League Season outright. Bryan Mbeumo quickly made it 2-0 just before the stroke of halftime courtesy of an Amad Diallo pass. It seems Fernandes wasn’t satisfied with just an assist, as he slammed home a sensational goal just after the restart to settle the match for United 3-0 courtesy of a smart assist from Patrick Dorgu. The versatile Danish winger has made a great case for his inclusion in the starting XI, and will look to build on this in the coming season.
Records shattered, Premier League Player of the Season claimed, can Bruno Fernandes push further with the Portuguese national team at this summer’s tournament? For his club he has certainly been the difference maker this season. United finished the campaign in 3rd place on 71 points, and one wonders what the final table would have looked like had Michael Carrick taken over in the summer. In an incredibly weak year for the Balon D’or, it would be early to throw Fernandes name into the ring. Many of PSG’s stars, however, could not claim to be as influential to their sides success, with Arsenal as well taking an approach by committee. Harry Kane and Lamine Yamal may have won domestic titles and had incredible individual seasons, but they fell at the final hurdle in the Champions League, which would be the all-determining factor in a year where the World Cup wasn’t being played. This summers tournament has already kicked off and looks to have the final say in who will win futbol’s most coveted individual prize. For this writer, and from the perspective of what he’s done to drag my team out of the mud, I hope that Portugal give Fernandes a platform to go on and stake even a minor claim at the Balon D’or. While even a mention in the top 10 may suffice, the shadow of Ronaldo looms large over any looking to supplant him.
Can Fernandes be the main man in a side who already has one?
