Michael Carrick hails Bruno Fernandes after breaking David Beckham's 26-year Manchester United record in Aston Villa win - 'Can always count on him'

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Bruno Fernandes has surpassed David Beckham for the most assists as a Manchester United player in a single season, setting up 16 goals. Beckham's record stood for 26 years, but Fernandes broke it as he chases Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's all-time Premier League record of 20 in a season. United beat Aston Villa 3-1 on Sunday to boost their hopes of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League.

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Michael Carrick was full of praise for Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes, who led The Red Devils' second-half charge to beat Aston Villa on a record-breaking afternoon.

The Portugal international picked up two more assists to take his tally to 16 for the season - and 100 for the club - as Casemiro, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko all scored in a 3-1 win at Old Trafford.

The victory bolstered United's chances of securing UEFA Champions League football next season, as Carrick maintained his 100% home record as caretaker boss, with his side bouncing back from their 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.

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Fernandes' contribution - setting up both Casemiro and Cunha for the home team's first two goals - saw him break David Beckham's record for the most assists by a United player in a single season.

Beckham held the record for 26 years after recording 15 assists during the 1999/2000 campaign, when United strolled to the league title.

"We're delighted to have him," Carrick told the BBC. "He's proven over a period of time how impactful he is in the big moments.

"He's there all the time, he puts himself forward in training and games. You can always count on him to be there. It's a really good trait to have.

"He's been through ups and downs here but it's never knocked him. He was there today to make the difference.

"He's had so many big moments, whether it's to score a goal or to make a pass, he is always there. He always puts himself forward, whether it's training or a game."

Fernandes: 'The main achievement will be the top spots'

Fernandes said he was "proud" of his efforts, but remained focused on the team's targets this season.

United are comfortably in third spot with eight games to play, and with only Premier League football to worry about, Fernandes feels that the team have more in them as the season edges towards its conclusion.

"I'm more proud and I'm more pleased because I did it serving my team-mates," the 31-year-old said of his new assist record on Sky Sports.

"That's even better, because giving joy to the others is also very good when you play in the position I play.

"So, I'm very happy that I can help them to score and to be happy in that moment. It's a huge achievement for me, but the main achievement will be [to be] in the top spots at the end of the season.

"This was very important because it was against a direct opponent, let's say. We had the same points, so getting this advantage from them is always good, and obviously, we needed it to win the game after the last game that we couldn't get the three points we wanted [against Newcastle], so today we did the job.

"I still think we can do much better, but the job is done, we got the three points and I'm very pleased with that."

Fernandes said he was proud to move past Beckham's assist record for United.

"Obviously, it's very nice," Bruno said. "It's a very good achievement. We're talking about one of the best players, certainly [the best] strikers of anyone in the box. So I'm very pleased to do that.

"It's not going to change anything for what I want but being there with a name who, obviously, was one of the players everyone looks up to, in the way of crossing and the way of passing.

"Like everyone in their own garden tried to do it like Beckham and was doing it, even if you're just swinging your arm, like he used to do it, not as much the ball.

"I'm obviously very happy to do that [beat his record]."

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