Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has heaped praise on current captain Bruno Fernandes, who is on the verge of making Premier League history. The Portuguese playmaker has already registered 19 assists this season, leaving him just one shy of the league record of 20, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne. With three games left to play, the stage is set for Fernandes to etch his name into the record books.
Since arriving at Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in January 2020, the 31-year-old has been nothing short of sensational. Over 324 appearances, he has racked up 106 goals and 107 assists, while lifting the EFL Cup and FA Cup along the way. His trophy cabinet already boasts four Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year awards, and given his stellar form this campaign, a fifth seems all but guaranteed.
What sets Fernandes apart is his ability to maintain top-tier performances through a whirlwind of managerial changes at United. Signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, he quickly became a fan favorite, famously delivering 28 goals and 17 assists in 58 games during the 2020/21 season. He continued to shine under interim boss Ralf Rangnick and later Erik ten Hag, who officially handed him the captain's armband in the summer of 2023—though Fernandes had already been leading by example since day one.
The arrival of Ruben Amorim brought a new challenge, as Fernandes was shifted into a midfield pivot alongside Casemiro earlier this season. Yet, even from a deeper role, the captain fantastic dictated play with his trademark vision and work rate. However, Amorim's 3-4-3 system was abandoned when he lost his job, paving the way for Darren Fletcher as interim manager and then Michael Carrick as caretaker boss. Carrick quickly reinstated Fernandes in his preferred No. 10 position—a role he had briefly filled under Carrick after Solskjaer's departure in 2021.
Since then, Fernandes has been at the peak of his creative powers. Scholes, a midfield maestro himself, believes Carrick's trust in the Portuguese star has been key to his resurgence. For fans and pundits alike, it's a reminder that when given the freedom to roam, Fernandes is one of the most dangerous playmakers in the game—and he's just one assist away from making history.