Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes added another assist to his tally as Erik ten Hag’s side claimed a first-leg advantage against Sevilla in the Europa League
Bruno Fernandes has brought up 50 assists in Manchester United colours to go with his 60 goals for the club, leaving him in very fine company indeed.
The Portugal international laid on Marcel Sabitzer’s opener for United in the Europa League quarter-final first leg against Sevilla. On-loan midfielder Sabitzer added a second before half-time to stand Erik ten Hag’s team in good stead ahead of their trip to Spain on April 20, only for Sevilla to battle back thanks to two late own goals.
Since joining from Sporting CP in January 2020, Fernandes is one of just two players in Europe’s top five leagues to register 50 or more goals and assists in all competitions. The other, perhaps unsurprisingly, is Paris Saint-Germain star Lionel Messi.
Messi is still some way clear of Fernandes. According to numbers from Opta, the Argentine has 80 goals and 59 assists across the same period.
The stat is made even more impressive by the fact that Fernandes often sits deeper than comparable players. While the 28-year-old has sometimes occupied an advanced role for United, even acting as a de facto member of the front three, there have been games like the Sevilla clash where he has operated as a deeper-lying midfielder.
Fernandes will not be able to add to that tally next week, with a yellow card ensuring he is suspended for the second leg of the quarter-final. A decision United legend Paul Scholes angrily branded “ridiculous”.
Bruno Fernandes will miss the second leg with Sevilla through suspension ( Image: Getty Images)
Ten Hag will hope his team can progress without the man who began Thursday’s game as captain, but they would have preferred to take a lead into the return fixture.
While Fernandes isn’t going to play a part in Spain, United will need him at his best on Sunday. United’s next league game comes against relegation-threatened Nottingham Forest, a team who they have already brushed aside in the league and EFL Cup.
Arguably the bigger United concerns come at the back. Raphael Varane made way at half-time against Sevilla with what the Premier League side will hope was just a knock, but Lisandro Martinez looked to be in real pain as he went down injured with no one near him.
It was a night to forget for Fernandes and Man Utd, despite reaching another milestone
