Bruno Fernandes has matched the Premier League record for most assists in a single season after setting up the 20th goal of the campaign in Manchester United's win over Nottingham Forest.

The Manchester United captain's low cross was tapped in by Bryan Mbeumo, securing the victory. Fernandes' assist, which came in the 77th minute, put him level with former Manchester City midfielder Kevin de Bruyne and former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry for the most assists in a season.

The entire Manchester United team, including goalkeeper Senne Lammens, celebrated passionately on the pitch at Old Trafford. With one game remaining against Brighton on May 24, Fernandes could still break the record.

This season, Fernandes has created 132 chances, the most in the Premier League, and 58 more than Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai. He has also won the Football Writers' Association's men's Footballer of the Year award.

Since his Premier League debut, Fernandes has created 670 chances, 238 more than Kevin de Bruyne. Only five players have scored more than his 70 league goals, and when combining goals and assists, only Mohamed Salah (193) betters Fernandes' 141 in that time.

"Fernandes has just achieved something exceptional in Premier League football," said former United right-back Gary Neville on Sky Sports. "To go level with Kevin de Bruyne and Thierry Henry for 20 assists in a single season is a magical moment for him."

Against Forest, Fernandes created eight chances, the most in the game, and almost had a 21st assist late on. "They've been trying to score from my passes," he joked to Sky Sports after the match.

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick praised Fernandes, saying, "He's got a real knack and gift for creating opportunities."

Fernandes' assists have won Manchester United 21 points this season, the most by an individual player in a single season in the league's history. His record-equalling campaign has also made him the club's leading creator in a single season, surpassing David Beckham's record of 15 in 1999-00.

Fernandes' 71 league assists put him level with Tottenham legend Son Heung-min. However, he still has a long way to go to break Ryan Giggs' record of 162 assists in the Premier League.

He will need to create 14 more chances against Brighton next week if he wants to equal Mesut Ozil's record of most chances created in a single season (146 with Arsenal in 2015-16).