Premier League legend Paul Scholes touched on how close the ‘debate’ has become around Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes and another prolific talent in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Bruno Fernandes is currently only one Premier League assist away from moving level with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne for the all-time assist record in a season.
Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne registered 20 assists in individual seasons in their careers, while Fernandes is on 19 with three league matches remaining.
Fernandes has registered 11 of his 19 league assists in the last 14 matches that have been overseen by Michael Carrick, who was appointed interim boss in January.
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Paul Scholes makes a powerful claim about the Kevin De Bruyne vs Bruno Fernandes comparison in the Premier League era
Bruno Fernandes’ influence at Manchester United has spoken volumes ever since the 31-year-old Portuguese talent arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting CP in 2020.
The ex-Sporting CP star has been the powerhouse creative force for United and his ability to change the entire dynamic of a match has been seen time and time again.
Just when Fernandes was written off earlier in the season after Ruben Amorim’s position change, the Man Utd captain bounced back under Michael Carrick’s shift.
Speaking on The Overlap’s ‘Fan Debate,’ even Paul Scholes admitted that Fernandes’ passing range and vision have put him incredibly close to Kevin De Bruyne now.
“His vision and his passing [are] very close to De Bruyne,” he said.
“I think De Bruyne is the one person you say might be slightly ahead of him, but I’m talking over the last five, six years of the Premier League — I don’t think there’s anybody.”
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Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes still has time on his side to close the Premier League debate with Kevin De Bruyne
De Bruyne does have one key advantage over Fernandes in the ongoing debate between the two, which is his major silverware haul with Manchester City.
That is not to diminish the 34-year-old Belgian playmaker’s influence on the pitch for Manchester City, but the lack of silverware around Fernandes haunts his career.
However, Fernandes could snatch away the accolade that De Bruyne currently co-shares with Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and strengthen his place in the debate.
The Portugal international also has time on his side to continue making an impact at Manchester United before he eventually leaves Old Trafford during his career.
The biggest disadvantage for Fernandes has been playing in a Man Utd side that has struggled in the aftermath of Sir Alex Ferguson’s managerial retirement in 2013.
But the United midfielder has continued to shine for the Red Devils during the highs and lows and Fernandes truly is the only player to rival De Bruyne’s influence in the Premier League in recent times.
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