Bruno Fernandes closes in on David Beckham’s elite Manchester United record

David Beckham’s status as Manchester United’s assist king is on shaky ground thanks to Bruno Fernandes.

The global icon holds the record for the most assists by a Red Devils player in a single Premier League season with an absurd haul of 15 in the 1999/2000 campaign.

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But incumbent United skipper Fernandes has Beckham’s record in his sights.

Bruno closes in on ‘Becks’

The Portuguese midfielder took his tally to 13 on Sunday as his pinpoint cross from the right flank was powered home by Benjamin Sesko.

Sesko’s header proved to be the winner for the Red Devils as they came from behind to beat a ten-man Crystal Palace 2-1.

Given United have ten more league fixtures this season, there’s a strong chance Fernandes usurps Beckham’s record which has stood for over two decades.

Fernandes’ assist for his towering teammate wasn’t the only major contribution he made at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The skipper netted the equaliser from the spot after Maxence Lacroix brought down Red Devils forward Matheus Cunha inside the box.

Lacroix’s foul on Cunha also earned him a red card, leaving the Eagles with a mountain that ultimately proved too high to climb.

It was a disappointing end to Lacroix’s afternoon given he scored the opener for Palace inside four minutes.

Fernandes nears legendary United duo

As for Fernandes, who was named the player of the match for his dazzling display, his two goal contributions put him in rarefied air.

Fernandes’ goal and assist against Palace was the 18th time he had managed both in a Premier League match since his debut in the competition in February 2020.

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The only player to have registered more in that same timeframe is Liverpool superstar Mohamed Salah, who has bagged a goal and an assist in a whopping 27 games.

At United, only Wayne Rooney and Ryan Giggs have nabbed both a goal and an assist in a single Premier League fixture more than Fernandes, having done so on 35 and 22 occasions respectively.

Fernandes’ stunning attacking returns of late have coincided with the arrival of Michael Carrick as United’s interim boss.

Under Carrick, Fernandes has registered two goals and six assists in seven league fixtures.

That means nearly half of the United skipper’s assists in Premier League action have come since Carrick stepped into the dugout following Ruben Amorim’s sacking.

Carrick’s appointment, even if only until the end of the season, has proved to be a shrewd one.

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With Carrick at the helm, United have not tasted defeat in a league fixture.

The former Red Devils midfielder has overseen an impressive six wins from seven league fixtures, with the run catapulting United into third as they look to seal a return to the Champions League.