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Michael Carrick has voiced complete assurance that Bruno Fernandes will continue with Manchester United after an extraordinary season that saw the Portuguese star rewrite Premier League history. The club captain capped off a remarkable campaign by scoring once and assisting another in a 3-0 victory over Brighton on the final day, helping United secure a third-place finish and a return to the Champions League.

Carrick expects Fernandes to spearhead United’s Champions League push

The newly appointed permanent manager of Manchester United has put to rest any speculation surrounding Fernandes’ future. The 31-year-old midfielder, who attracted strong interest from the Saudi Pro League last summer, chose to remain at Old Trafford and guide the team through a turbulent transitional season.

Following the dominant 3-0 win at the Amex Stadium, Carrick was full of admiration for his skipper. “He’s such a big influence for us, and as captain, he’s led by example in so many different ways,” Carrick said. When asked about Fernandes’ future, he replied, “I’ve got no reason to think otherwise. We’ve loved what he’s done, and he loves being here — I think that’s clear for everyone to see.”

Fernandes shines in record-setting campaign

The Portugal international closed out his season by breaking the all-time Premier League assists record. His setup for Patrick Dorgu’s opening goal took his tally to 21 assists for the season, surpassing the previous record of 20 held jointly by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Carrick credited Fernandes’ relentless drive and professionalism as central to his success and influence within the team. “He always wants to stay on the pitch; he wants to play every single match because he’s enjoying his football, which is fantastic,” Carrick explained. Fernandes also got on the scoresheet against Brighton, rounding off a performance that firmly established him as the Premier League Player of the Season.

Carrick signs new deal to strengthen United’s foundation

The win on the south coast coincided with a period of renewed stability for the club, coming just two days after Carrick signed a two-year contract as permanent head coach. With 12 wins in 17 league matches since replacing Ruben Amorim, the former United midfielder believes the team is finally back on the right trajectory heading into the summer transfer window.

“I’m thrilled to be staying longer, and we have to keep pushing forward,” Carrick said about his new contract. “There’s still work to be done. We’ve got to keep improving — we want to get better — but it’s hugely encouraging to be doing it from this position. That’s what gives me confidence and excitement for the future. We’ve now got a strong foundation to build on.”

Brighton settle for Conference League after final day disappointment

While Manchester United celebrated their third-place finish, Brighton were left to rue a disappointing final day that saw them slip to eighth in the Premier League table. Nevertheless, the Seagulls secured a place in the Conference League, and manager Fabian Hurzeler insisted the campaign was still a success, marking the club’s first-ever back-to-back top-eight finishes.

Determined not to let the final day defeat overshadow the broader achievement, Hurzeler opted to focus on the positives. “On one hand, it was terrible timing for that kind of performance; on the other hand, when you look at the entire season, it’s definitely an accomplishment,” he admitted. “It’s another milestone in the club’s history, another great personal success for the players. We should take pride in what we’ve achieved this season.”