Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler has singled out Manchester United skipper Bruno Fernandes ahead of the Seagulls hosting the Red Devils at the Amex on Sunday.
Bruno Fernandes is currently chasing the all-time Premier League assist record for a single season going into Manchester United’s final match of the 2025-26 campaign.
The 31-year-old Man Utd captain currently shares the assist record with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne after he notched up his 20th Premier League assist.
Portugal midfielder Fernandes picked up his latest Premier League assist in United’s 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford last weekend.
What do you think of Roy Keane blasting Bruno Fernandes’ record breaking assist chase?
Fabian Hurzeler on Bruno Fernandes trying to break the Premier League assist record in the Brighton vs Man Utd match
Bruno Fernandes has 20 Premier League assists in 34 matches in the 2025-26 campaign, with 12 of those assists coming under Michael Carrick’s reign.
The Portuguese midfielder has seen his influence significantly increase in the second half of the current season after playing as the No 10 for Manchester United.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Fabian Hurzeler has now told his Brighton players that Fernandes cannot be defended against in a one-on-one.
“Very difficult to defend him one against one,” he said, as per Brighton’s official website.
“Outstanding player, outstanding skills. So, when you see him playing, it’s definitely a joy.
“But on the weekend, we have to stop it as a team. We have to defend him as a team.
“Like I mentioned, it’s not possible to defend him one against one. You need to take the joy away from him. You need to take the spaces away from him.”
READ MORE: Sam Allardyce claims ‘extremely sharp’ Man Utd star has had his ‘best season’ ever at Old Trafford
ACCEPT or HIT BACK: I won’t mind a loss against Brighton as long as Bruno Fernandes breaks the PL assist record!
Have the standards fallen at Man Utd, or is the chance to make history in a dead-rubber game a no-brainer?
Fabian Hurzeler on what Bruno Fernandes could do across 90 minutes for Man Utd in the Brighton match
United have already ensured that they will finish third in the Premier League table, irrespective of the result against Brighton at the Amex on Sunday afternoon.
Brighton could still push for a top-six Premier League finish this season and Hurzeler believes that Fernandes will be a major threat for the Seagulls to contain.
“But even then, he tries to find small margins where he can be effective,” Hurzeler added.
“So, therefore, we have to stay alive for 90 minutes. We have to be very compact as a team. We have to play intensely.
“We have to always create numerical advantage near the ball and that’s our responsibility at the weekend.”
Brighton and Man Utd’s Premier League match is currently slated for a 4pm kick-off time in the UK at the Amex on Sunday.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
