Man Utd 3-2: Nottingham Forest: Bruno Fernandes racks up 20th assist of Premier League season as United seal third-place finish
Report and free match highlights as Man Utd seal third-place finish in the Premier League thanks to goals from Luke Shaw, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo; Morato and Morgan Gibbs-White converted Elliot Anderson crosses for Forest as Fernandes produced a record-equalling 20th assist
Sunday 17 May 2026 16:30, UK
Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League assists record as Man Utd sealed a third-place finish with an entertaining 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford.
The United captain has now matched Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne by setting up 20 goals in a Premier League season, with the milestone moment coming when Fernandes crossed for wasteful Bryan Mbeumo to finally stick away his fourth big chance of the game on Sunday.
Fernandes then almost took the record outright in the final moments, when Diogo Dalot took the ball off him and fired against the foot of the far post.
But, regardless, it was another standout performance from Fernandes, who carved out eight opportunities for his team-mates, on a day the home fans waved goodbye to another midfield favourite, Casemiro, who will leave the club this summer.
United's final home game of the season got off to a dream start with a rare goal from Luke Shaw arrowed in after just six minutes. Mbeumo should have made it 2-0 when he hit the near post from a tight angle after going around Matz Sels moments after Senne Lammens had saved a Morgan Gibbs-White one-on-one.
Mbeumo then skied a real sitter just after half-time from close range as his 11-game goalless run looked to weigh heavy on his shoulders. And United were punished for his wayward finishing when Morato headed in an excellent Elliot Anderson cross to equalise.
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United instantly responded - but Matheus Cunha's goal was a controversial one. The ball struck Mbeumo's arm off his hip before the striker's shot rebounded for Cunha to convert.
The goal was given on-field but, after a long check, VAR advised ref Michael Salisbury to go to the monitor, with many assuming handball against Mbeumo would be given. But Salisbury instead stood by his original call and awarded the goal. "That is a shocker," said Sky Sports' Gary Neville on co-commentary.
With 14 minutes to play, United got a third - Fernandes crossed from the right for Mbeumo to divert the ball in. While the focus was on Fernandes' record, there was relief in Mbeumo's celebrations - he had blown another brilliant opportunity provided by his captain moments earlier, which had brought Fernandes to his knees.
But the action wasn't over - another Anderson cross and sharp finish from Morgan Gibbs-White kept the contest close during the end-to-end final stages, which saw Joshua Zirkzee brilliantly denied by Sels soon after Dalot had struck the woodwork.
Ultimately, though, this was an fun, satisfying win for United in front of their home fans for the final time this season. Forest will hope to give their own fans a similar send-off when they host Bournemouth on Sunday; with their Premier League status already secured, they stay 16th.
Fernandes: I want collective awards more than anything
Man Utd captain Bruno Fernandes to Sky Sports:
"I want collective awards more than anything, but knowing that your job is being recognised by many people... A lot of players came out and said I was player of the season. For that I am very grateful.
"I got to 20 [assists] today. Let's see. We have one more game. The manager decides who will play the next game. I will be very happy to do it. But if I don't, I am already happy because it is the most assists I have got in the Premier League."
Analysis: Fernandes the Creativity King
Sky Sports' Nick Wright:
One record-equalling assist for Bruno Fernandes but he could easily have had more.
The 31-year-old's total of eight chances created against Nottingham Forest was the joint-most by any player in any Premier League game this season, matching his total against Newcastle in March and Rayan Cherki's total for Manchester City against Burnley in April.
Fernandes has now created a total of 132 chances this season. It's nearly twice as many as the next-highest player in Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai on 74.
Carrick pleased with strong finish to season at Old Trafford
Man Utd head coach Michael Carrick:
"It was a good day. We were really conscious of trying to finish on a high. We've made some good strides as a team, group and club. It's important to finish the way we did for so many reasons."
On Fernandes' assist: "It was a really nice moment for everybody. Credit to him for that because it's not easy.
"But he always puts the team first. It's a fantastic achievement."
Neville on Cunha's controversial goal
"That is a shocker in every way! Honestly, that is ridiculous. The VAR has been clear: the player has handballed it. He looked at it for three minutes and the referee has looked at it for another minute.
"I can't believe what I have just seen. That was handball. I don't know what to say. We have to admire referees who stand by their decisions but that was not the time to do it."
Pereira: Defeat decided by 'very clear' handball
Nottingham Forest boss Vitor Pereira:
"Crazy game, crazy game. Maybe a good game for the supporters but for a manager, it was an open game, especially in the second half, we conceded a lot of counter-attacks and they are dangerous on counter-attacks.
"But I understand my team. They want to score goals. But in the end we started to lose our organisation, our balance. They got chances to score. We had chances to score and in the end it was a pity the game was decided for a decision I must accept because it was the decision of the referee but is not my opinion.
"For me, it was handball, very clear. It is sad not to cancel the goal. For me it was the decision which decided the game.
"[The ref] thinks the control with the hand was after a touch on the body. I must accept [that] but that's not my opinion. In my opinion he controlled the ball with his hand and the goal comes from the control. If not then they would not have the chance to shoot and score."
