Reason behind Bruno Fernandes denied assist against Liverpool explained

Despite the Fantasy Premier League app handing Bruno Fernandes an assist for his nodded cross to Benjamin Sesko against Liverpool, the Manchester United captain’s pass has not gone down as an official goal contribution.

Fernandes, who is currently on 19 assists for the 2025/26 campaign – one behind Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne’s single-season record of 20 assists in the Premier League, came close to equalling the record, but was denied after a deft touch that appeared upon replay of the goal.

In the fourteenth minute of Manchester United’s game against rivals Liverpool, with the game at 1-0 to the Red Devils, a cross from Luke Shaw to the back post was headed across goal by Bruno Fernandes, in the direction of United striker Benjamin Sesko.

Before it could reach the £70m Slovenian striker, Liverpool stand-in goalkeeper Freddie Woodman punched the ball onto him, and the deflection took it over the line.

The current 2025/26 rules say if a pass or cross is deflected by an opponent but still reaches a teammate inside the penalty area, an assist is awarded, provided there is only one defensive touch.

But the cross in towards Sesko that came off the head of Bruno Fernandes was not headed directly towards him – the touch from Freddie Woodman was what sent the ball into the Slovenian’s path.

It’s an annoying decision for Fernandes, but one he will not worry about, as his side got the goal which helped towards their eventual 3-2 win over Liverpool.

Now, Manchester United turn their focus to the three remaining games in the 2025/26 Premier League season.

Fernandes has these games to try to equal the record, or get two assists to better it and set a new precedent. Regardless of whether he gets it, what a season it has been for the Portuguese star.