Michael Carrick believes Bruno Fernandes should be in the mix for the Premier League player of the year award after his 19th assist of the season helped Manchester United to a 2-1 win over Brentford that put them on the brink of qualification for the Champions League.
Fernandes is now one shy of the Premier League record of 20 assists in a single season, jointly held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry, after setting up Benjamin Sesko for United’s second of the night.
The Portuguese playmaker was also involved in the first, with Harry Maguire heading his corner back across goal for Casemiro to nod in, and the win means United need only two points from their remaining four league games to secure a return to Europe’s top competition.
Asked if Fernandes should get individual recognition at the end of the season, Carrick said: “Hopefully he does. He deserves it for the impact he has had and the moments he’s created, whether it’s creating or scoring or having other influence within the group. He’s had a big season.”
Casemiro was named player of the match on the night, and was serenaded by United fans who implored the 34-year-old to reverse his decision to leave the club this summer.
Carrick reiterated that would not happen with the Brazilian ready to leave four years after joining from Real Madrid.
“It’s pretty clear, from both sides,” he said.
Carrick later added: “Cas has had an influence within the group, he has got huge experience, he’s a big player and has achieved a huge amount in the game, and he has given everything you can possible give.
“The situation has probably helped that, knowing there is nothing to hide. It’s football, players come and go. You’ve got to evolve and move on. That’s the world we’re in, but he’s given everything and it’s nice he’s got that connection with the supporters.”
Brentford came to Old Trafford with a clear plan to take United on, and could have caused them far more problems had Igor Thiago not passed up first-half opportunities before Dango Outtara hit a post in the second half.
United’s second goal came from a Brentford attack, broken up by Amad Diallo before Fernandes led the counter-attack, and it was ultimately a frustrating night with Mathias Jensen’s curling strike coming too late.
Defeat leaves Brentford in ninth, but still only two points off sixth placed in the congested battle for Europa League football.
“I was really happy with how we performed overall,” boss Keith Andrews said. “United started the game better than we did, they were dangerous from corner kicks and got the lead from that.
“I felt after that we calmed down a little bit, we started to take control of the ball a bit better, got to grips with the game, the occasion, and the opposition better and then I thought we were in a good place.
“We needed to control transitions better especially in the first half. The second goal was really disappointing, the timing and where we were in the game. But the overall perforamnce of the players, the bravery of the players, was really impressive.”
