Bruno equalizes Premier League record in a thrilling United win

Manchester United fans coming to Old Trafford had four things on their minds: to see a win at the last home game of the season, to hear officially that Michael Carrick has been promoted from interim to permanent manager, to see Casemiro’s departure from the club and to see Bruno Fernandes break a record. United’s captain has created 124 chances in the Premier League this season, the fourth most on record (since 2003-04) in a single campaign after Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 (146), Kevin De Bruyne in 2019-20 (136) and Frank Lampard in 2008-09 (134). The United skipper was two assists away from breaking the all-time Premier League record. After the final 3-2 victory, the crowd was happy as their team won, but other two wishes will have to wait after the game. Carrick is not yet promoted, but it’s just a matter of days, while Fernandes is one assist away from making history. The Portuguese had one assist today and equalized Thierry Henry’s and Kevin De Bruyne’s seasonal record (20), and he now only needs one on the last day of the season to surpass them.  

The game just started and United were already 1-0 up. Forest fail to deal with the ball into the box and Williams had a poor header clearance, allowing Shaw to score for the first time since January 2023. It took Old Trafford crowd over 20 minutes to see the next chance. Mbeumo broke in front of Sels all alone, tried to pass him and he managed to do that, but the Belgian keeper close the angle so the Cameroonian forward managed only to hit the post. Forest had a half-chance through Gibbs-White and that was all in the first half.

Mbeumo wasted another great chance to score in the 47th minute. Amad managed to cut the back to the goal area only to see his African teammate miss from close range. One of rare Forest’s chances ended with a goal a few minutes later. Anderson delivered a beautiful cross to Morato and the Forest defender just couldn’t miss. As soon as the Manchester players took the field, it was 2-1. Mbeumo started an action by clearly handballing and Cunha scored at the end. VAR called the referee and recommended to deny the goal, but the man in black looked for himself and decided it was an ‘accidental handball’. Shocking, but not so, if we know the history of strange referees’ decision at Old Trafford. Mbeumo managed a third close chance to score in the 64th minute, and Amad’s shot was saved by Sels three minutes later.

On the other side only Gibbs White way playing and he had another opportunity saved by Lammens. Manchester really pushed up and finally got the third one. It was Mbeumo, who missed previous excellent attempts and what is better, he got it after an assist from Fernandes, who has equalized Henry’s and De Bruyne’s record. But Gibbs-Morgan didn’t want to give up, and scored a beauty after an Anderson assist in the 78th minute. The Old Trafford went on their feet to congratulate Casemiro who went out in the 81st minute in his last home game in United’s shirt. The Red Devils really pushed for that fourth goal, Zirkzee and Dorgu had chances, but in the end, it remained 3-2.

PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 37

Friday

Aston Villa - Liverpool 4-2 (1-0)

/Rogers 42, Watkins 57, 73, McGinn 89 - Van Dijk 52, 90+2/

Sunday

Man Utd - Nott Forest 3-2 (1-0)

/Shaw 5, Cunha 55, Mbeumo 76 - Morato 53, Gibbs-White 78/

17.00: (1.75) Brentford (4.20) Crystal Palace (4.25)

17.00: (1.85) Everton (3.80) Sunderland (4.00)

17.00: (3.20) Leeds (3.60) Brighton (2.20)

17.00: (3.70) Wolverhampton (4.00) Fulham (1.95)

19.30: (2.15) Newcastle (3.95) West Ham (3.20)

Monday

22.00: (1.10) Arsenal (10.0) Burnley (22.0)

Tuesday

21.30: (4.90) Bournemouth (3.90) Man City (1.70)

22.15: (2.15) Chelsea (3.50) Tottenham (3.30)

***odds are subject to change***