Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes set the all-time record for assists in a season while also claiming the Premier League and football writers’ player of the year accolades, and he netted a goal in Michael Carrick’s inaugural match as permanent manager, which concluded with a win at Brighton.
A day that started with Brighton harboring slim hopes of Champions League qualification concluded with them securing a spot in next season’s UEFA Conference League after being surpassed by Sunderland, but importantly, not Brentford, finishing in eighth.
A second European campaign in their history is certainly worth celebrating for the Seagulls, yet there was subdued applause at the final whistle, as fans were disappointed by the performance of Fabian Hürzeler’s team, who remained standing until the news from Anfield sealed their fate and the cheers resonated throughout the stadium. The visitors didn’t mind that at all.
Having lost four of their last seven trips to this ground, United’s fans celebrated Carrick’s 12th win in 17 matches since he took charge through to the season’s conclusion in January.
At that moment, only a handful of supporters genuinely thought United could achieve a spot in next year’s Champions League following a two-year hiatus.
The main reason Carrick has been given the job is that they succeeded while still having resources left over.
No player has contributed more to that than Fernandes, and after tying the record shared with Thierry Henry and
Kevin de Bruyne against Nottingham Forest last week, he took it for himself when Patrick Dorgu headed in his corner in the first half.
A clever one-two between Amad Diallo and Mason Mount set up a second goal for Bryan Mbeumo, and three minutes into the second half, Fernandes struck for a third to seal the win for United.
