Fernandes breaks Premier League assists record as Man Utd end season in style with 3-0 Brighton win

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Headline: Fernandes breaks Premier League assists record as Man Utd end season in style with 3-0 Brighton win

Excerpt: Goals from Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes saw United cruise to victory in Michael Carrick's first game as permanent head coach, with the captain making history from a corner.

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Manchester United ended a rollercoaster season with a superb 3-0 win over Brighton on Sunday, as Bruno Fernandes broke the all-time Premier League assists record in Michael Carrick's first game as permanent head coach.

Goals from Patrick Dorgu, Bryan Mbeumo and Fernandes saw United cruise to victory at the Amex Stadium, despite having nothing to play for with third place already secured. Brighton, by contrast, needed a win to keep their European hopes alive.

How did Fernandes make history?

The record fell in the 33rd minute when Fernandes delivered a wonderful corner for Dorgu to head home and make it 1-0. It was his 21st assist of the Premier League season, breaking the all-time single-season record previously held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

"Let's see, it doesn't change the way I play my game," Fernandes had told reporters last weekend. But it would have been on his mind. He celebrated twice after a VAR check on his second-half goal, pushed towards the away end by his teammates, his fist pumps met by a huge roar.

How did the rest of the goals come?

Mbeumo doubled the lead before half-time after a brilliant combination with Amad and a perfectly weighted pass from Mason Mount. Fernandes then found the bottom left corner with a lovely finish in the 48th minute to wrap up a comfortable afternoon.

What did Carrick say?

Carrick praised the "hunger" and "mentality" of his squad. "We're delighted. Absolutely delighted in so many ways with today and particularly over the last two or three weeks when the position's kind of cemented," he said.

The reporter covering the game noted that Brighton had something to play for but United made them "look poor," adding that "Carrick and his coaching staff deserve endless praise for this second half of the season."

What else happened?

It took just 30 seconds for United fans to chant Carrick's name. They also sang for Kobbie Mainoo ("United can't play without you"), directed anti-Glazer chants during the first half, and aimed a colourful send-off at departing City boss Pep Guardiola.

Shea Lacey came on in the 62nd minute to replace Dorgu, while Tyrell Malacia was given the final 10 minutes as a nice touch from Carrick after Luke Shaw made way. Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro and Ashley Fletcher also came off the bench.

Harry Maguire put in a commanding performance at centre-back, rated 8/10, which may have been fuelled by his England World Cup snub earlier in the week.