Manchester United star has just done what only one Premier League player has ever managed in 20 years

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Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been a relentless force through 2023, and it has not always been easy for him.

Bruno Fernandes admitted Manchester United’s recent struggles had led to some self-doubt, asking whether he could turn the team’s form around.

He explained to Amazon Prime after the win over Aston Villa that this has been a mental challenge he has had to overcome.

Fernandes said: “Obviously in these last moments there’s going to be some disbelief, even in yourself. You start to think: ‘Am I even good enough to be here?’ It’s normal when things are not going right. It’s the way you overcome that and get results even when things are not going well.”

Bruno Fernandes matches unique record

Bruno Fernandes’ ability to overcome everything which is thrown at him is testament to his character, and why Manchester United’s players and fans admire him.

Fernandes is also available and always trying, even if not everything comes off. In the 3-2 win over Aston Villa he managed to create three chances, yet ended the game without any assists.

All these chances do add up, to something impressive. Fernandes has now matched a unique Premier League record.

He has become the first ever Manchester United player to create 100 chances from open play in a league calendar year, since statistics were recorded, over the past two decades.

Per Opta: “Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes has created 100 chances in open play in the Premier League in 2023, only the second player Opta has on record (2004 onwards) to create 100+ chances in open play in a calendar year, along with Mesut Özil in 2015 (104).”

Fernandes is Manchester United’s assist leader, with five for the season outright.

Fernandes can claim top spot outright

There is still one game remaining in the Premier League in 2023, when Manchester United take on Nottingham Forest.

Fernandes has a real chance to match or exceed Ozil’s tally of 104 chances created from open play, he only needs four to draw level.

Regardless, reaching the 100 chances created milestone is highly impressive, and shows what a special creative talent Erik ten Hag has on his hands.

Manchster United’s forwards just need to be more ruthless and turn more of Fernandes’ chances created into assists.