Roberto Martinez has hailed Bruno Fernandes for a record-breaking campaign at Manchester United.
The Portugal head coach singled out his captain’s remarkable consistency as the World Cup nears. Speaking to The Athletic, he called the achievement a slice of history.
Fernandes enjoyed the finest individual season of his career. He broke the Premier League record for assists in a single campaign, reaching 21.
That tally moved him clear of Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne, who had shared the mark on 20.
Martinez salutes Fernandes ‘ record-breaking season
The record came on the final day. His corner against Brighton was headed home by Patrick Dorgu, sealing the milestone.
Remarkably, Fernandes did not register his first assist of the season until 19 October. He then produced one of the great creative runs the league has seen.
Martinez was glowing in his assessment. “In the three years that I’ve been here in the national team, his consistency levels have been incredible,” he said. “Everything that he does in the final third has been of the highest level.”
He was especially pleased by the breadth of recognition. “Now I’m delighted that he gets recognition, not just from the players, because that’s something that you can feel straight away in the PFA awards, but also from the writers and the Premier League in general,” Martinez added.
The Portugal boss framed the record in historic terms. “Obviously, breaking that record over one season to get 21 assists, knocking (off) Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry, that’s creating a historic memory,” he said.
The numbers underline his value. Fernandes also matched Steven Gerrard’s record of 11 assists from set-pieces in a season.
He now boasts 106 goals in 327 appearances for United. His eight league goals this term came alongside that creative haul.
Portugal open their World Cup campaign within days, and Fernandes captains the side as the reigning Premier League Player of the Season.
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