“It’s a very proud moment” - Bruno Fernandes reflects on equalling Premier League assists record [video] | OneFootball

Fernandes made history on Sunday [Getty Images]

Bruno Fernandes finally clinched a moment many Manchester United and Portugal fans had been waiting for on Sunday afternoon, when he registered his 20th assist of the Premier League season to equal the all-time record.

The story of Bruni’s pursuit of the landmark to draw level with Thierry Henry and Kevin de Bruyne in the record books has become one of the major talking points amongst United fans in recent weeks, as the team comfortable secured their spot in the Champions League places for next season.

It was fitting that Fernandes achieved the feat in front of the Stretford End at Old Trafford. By providing the cross from which Bryan Mbeumo scored the third goal in United's 3-1 victory over Nottingham Forest, Fernandes ensured he shared the record with two of the very finest players to grace the English top flight.

“Obviously it feels great,” Fernandes told the club’s in-house media after the match. “I never hid that I wanted to push myself to be level with the best and trying to overtake them also. It’s a privilege and an honour for me to be in such elite company. Two players who are two of the best in the last two decades. It’s a huge honour for me,.

“The fans? I could understand that [they were with me] and there were probably moments where I could take different decisions. There was probably a moment where I had a shot when I should have passed to Josh. But at the end of the day I wanted just to win the game, to score goals and give opportunities to my teammates.

“I couldn’t get the goal but we end up winning the game and I end up going level with the number of assists so it was a great day.

“Of course, it’s a very proud moment for myself. For everything I’ve been through in my career, how much I’ve dreamed about. Obviously I’ve never dreamed about being in this chapter of the top assister in the Premier League, but when you start getting close and start thinking about it..

“At the same time, it’s my job to serve my teammates and put them in positions where they can score goals. At the end of the day I did it again today and I’m very happy with it.”

With one match remaining away at Brighton next weekend, there is still an opportunity for Fernandes to break the record. United have secured 3rd place in the Premier League with a six-point gap between themselves and Aston Villa, while Brighton’s ambitions of European football could leave plenty of space for Fernandes to stand alone in the record books.

Watch: United players were delighted for Bruno: