New Delhi: Bruno Fernandes inched closer towards the English Premier League’s assists record as Manchester United defeated Aston Villa on Sunday.
Fernandes provided assists for two of United’s goals as United tightened their grip on Champions League qualification.
Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne jointly hold the record for assists for a single Premier League campaign with 20 while Fernandes’ tally stands at 16.
The Portuguese playmaker will have up to eight more games to set a new record in English football’s top flight after reaching a cub record for assists.
He inspired United to their seventh win in nine games under head coach Michael Carrick and enbaled them to be on third spot in the standings, three points clear of Aston Villa in fourth.
Casemiro, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha scored United’s goals that lifted United to 54 points after 30 games, while fourth-placed Villa have 51 points.
Casemiro put United in the lead in the 53rd minute with a header on the near post from a Fernandes corner while Ross Barkley equalised in the 64th with a shot from a central position.
Fernandes superb through ball, his 100th assist for the club across all competitions, allowe Cunha to put United ahead with a sidestepped finish in the 71st minute.
Sesko then put the game to bed 10 minutes later with a powerful shot from the centre of the box.
In other matches, Nottingham Forest drew 0-0 with Fulham to climb out of the relegation zone while Crystal Palace and Leeds also drew 0-0.
“It was a slightly different game today going into it being so close in the league and making the small jump we could if we won, off the back of a defeat. It was a small test and we haven’t really had that,” Carrick said.
“The boys dealt with it really well, had a really good week and applied themselves well. Everything is so so encouraging. We’ve got a lot to play for.”