Bruno Fernandes equaled the Premier League record of 20 assists in a season as Manchester United beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 to finish third.
Fernandes, who was just named football writers’ player of the season, joined Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne when Bryan Mbeumo converted his cross for United’s third goal.
Mbeumo was also involved in the game’s most contentious moment, when his handball leading up to Matheus Cunha’s goal remained unpunished despite a VAR review.
Both teams had secured their main goals in recent weeks, with United aiming to return to the Champions League and Forest only ensuring survival last weekend.
The minimal stakes created a wide-open contest, which erupted when Luke Shaw volleyed United ahead after only five minutes.
Both teams squandered numerous opportunities to score before the half, but Forest leveled just seven minutes into the second session.
Defender Morato headed in Elliot Anderson’s enticing delivery at the back post.
United rushed down the other end, and Cunha swept home after the ball deflected off Mbuemo’s thigh and onto his arm.
In an incredibly rare event, Michael Salisbury maintained his original decision to award the goal despite being summoned by VAR to assess the situation.
Morgan Gibbs-White almost soon leveled for Forest but was denied by Senne Lammens, who raced off his line.
Fernandes’ record-tying moment came 14 minutes later, when Mbeumo pushed in his drilled cross for his first goal since February.
Forest refused to go away, with England internationals Anderson and Gibbs-White combining to cut the deficit.
Gibbs-White, making his first appearance since sustaining a horrific facial injury in a fight with Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez earlier this month, drove into the bottom corner from Anderson’s driving cross.
Casemiro received a standing ovation in his final Old Trafford appearance, when he was substituted by Mason Mount nine minutes later.
Fernandes was inches away from a record-breaking 21st assist of the season as Diogo Dalot hit the post with his feed deep into stoppage time.
United, on the other hand, held on for another win, adding to their outstanding record since Michael Carrick took over in January.
The former player is set to sign a two-year contract to stay in command at Old Trafford in the coming days.
