Add as preferred source on Google
Gary Lineker has revealed why Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes stood out in his eyes for all of the right reasons, irrespective of the result against Newcastle.
Bruno Fernandes made an impact on Wednesday evening after the 31-year-old Red Devils skipper picked up an assist for Casemiro’s first-half equaliser for his side.
The Portugal international whipped in a superb free-kick from the right and Casemiro turned in a header and cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s opener for Newcastle.
Despite his injury-time assist ahead of half-time, Fernandes would ultimately watch Manchester United lose 2-1 to Newcastle at St James’ Park in the Premier League.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images Bruno Fernandes hits 100 ASSISTS for Man United!
How many will he end up getting this season?
Getty Images. Why Gary Lineker put his full focus on Bruno Fernandes ahead of other Man Utd players from the Newcastle defeat
Bruno Fernandes completed the full 90 minutes of Manchester United’s midweek encounter with Newcastle, which was Michael Carrick’s first defeat as interim boss.
The Man Utd captain has now picked up six Premier League assists and netted twice for the Red Devils in Michael Carrick’s eight-match interim managerial spell so far.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Gary Lineker told co-hosts Alan Shearer and Micah Richards that Fernandes was United’s most creative player on the night.
Following United’s loss at St James’ Park, former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer said: “Man United, I thought, were really, really poor.”
Responding to Shearer’s claim, Lineker added: “With the exception, I would say, of Bruno Fernandes again.
“I thought he was incredibly creative. I mean, he made so many chances for them, didn’t he?”
What does Bruno Fernandes have to do in 2026 to challenge for the Ballon d’Or?
Win the World Cup? Win the Premier League POTY? Break the assist record?
Credit: Getty Images. Gary Lineker praises the numbers behind Bruno Fernandes after the Man Utd captain’s Premier League spell at Old Trafford
Fernandes has netted an impressive 69 times and registered 65 assists in his 221 Premier League appearances for Man Utd since his stunning move to Old Trafford.
Lineker spotlighted Fernandes’ key stats when it comes to his chances created in the Premier League and was blown away by how much he stood out on his own.
“He’s now created 92 chances in the Premier League this season, 36 more than any other player,” he added.
Fernandes has found the back of the net seven times and picked up 15 assists in 28 matches across all competitions in the 2025-26 campaign at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils will be back in Premier League action on 15th March, with third-place Man Utd hosting fourth-place Aston Villa at Old Trafford for a 2pm kick-off in the UK.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox