Fernandes equals assist record as Man Utd win, Euro chasers stumble

MANCHESTER, May 17 : Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes equalled the Premier League record for goal assists in a single season and Casemiro received a standing ovation in his last appearance for the club at Old Trafford as the hosts beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 on Sunday.

With a return to the Champions League already in the bag and Michael Carrick expected to be named as permanent manager, it was a day of celebration as United signed off at home with victory.

Fernandes set up the third goal for Bryan Mbeumo - his 20th assist of the season - as a resurgent United confirmed they will finish the season in third place.

United's Portuguese talisman will break the record he now shares with Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne if he makes an assist in United's final game of the season at Brighton and Hove Albion next weekend.

"(My teammates) have been trying to score from my passes," Fernandes said. "I'm very happy for the assist and for the win and to finish the season on a high," Fernandes said. "I got to 20 today, let's see we have one more game. It's the highest I've done in the Premier League so I am very happy with it."

FIGHT FOR EUROPEAN PLACES

While United will return to European competition next season after missing out in this campaign, several of the clubs trying to join them missed an opportunity on Sunday.

Brighton and Hove Albion lost 1-0 at Leeds United, Everton lost 3-1 at home to Sunderland, Brentford, bidding to play in Europe for the first time, drew 2-2 at home with Crystal Palace thanks to a brace from Dango Ouattara while Fulham also drew 1-1 at bottom club Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Brighton remained in seventh place with 53 points with Brentford a point behind in eighth. Sunderland are up to ninth with 51 points and