Bruno Fernandes: Gary Lineker makes bold claim about United ace

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes has been in excellent form since being restored to an attacking midfield role by caretaker manager Michael Carrick. The 31-year-old’s future was subject to speculation before the start of the season, but he ultimately stayed at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese later revealed he had turned down a huge offer to move to the Middle East, a decision fans will be grateful for. Fernandez spent the first half of the season playing alongside Casemiro in an unaccustomed pivot role but still managed to open things up from the back.

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He was one of the rare shining lights in the Red Devils’ squad under former manager Rúben Amorim, whose 14-month drought came to an end in January. Carrick took over as manager for the remainder of the season, with the Englishman quickly switching to a 4-2-3-1 formation and deploying Fernandes in the No. 10 role.

The decision frees up the United talisman, who has been in red-hot form since returning from a hamstring injury at the start of the year.

Leading the Premier League in assists

Fernandez put in a highlight-reel performance against Crystal Palace at the Theater of Dreams on Sunday, scoring a late goal from Benjamin Sesco in a 2-1 victory. This is the 18th time he has scored and assisted in a single game, a feat only achieved by Wayne Rooney (35) and Ryan Giggs (22).

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The experienced midfielder has made 27 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals and providing 14 assists, starting all but one of them.

Bruno Fernandes Statistics: 2025/26 Season

Source: Transfermarkt.

He has the most assists in the Premier League this season and remains a favorite for the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award. The Portuguese will also set his sights on Beckham’s record of 15 league assists in the 1999/00 season, which was the most assists by a Manchester United player in a single season.

Fernandes’ efforts this season have earned him an admirer in England legend Gary Lineker.

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Lineker praises Bruno’s football brain

Speaking on The Rest is Football podcast, Lineker hailed Fernandes as the player of the season. He said: “You see him on the left wing, you see him on the right wing… What a brain! I think he’s my player of the season. I know they probably give it to the guys who are going to win something.”

“For me, if Arsenal go on and win the title, it could be him or it could be Declan Rice. I think the only other guy, if he comes back and starts scoring all the goals and wins the title for Manchester City, it could be Erling Haaland again.”

“But at the moment, for me, doing what he’s done this season… even though they were going through a bad period under Ruben Amorim, when they were struggling under Ruben Amorim, he was still an outstanding player. I think he has such a great football mind and skills. What a great player, what a great player!”

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final thoughts

Fernandes’ contract expires in less than 18 months, so United will also make a decision at the end of the season. While the Red Devils may consider succession plans for the mercurial Portuguese, it is thought his chapter at the Theater of Dreams is far from over.