Bruno Fernandes set a new mark for most assists in a Premier League season on the final day as Michael Carrick won his first game since being confirmed permanent head coach with victory at Brighton.The win means Carrick, who was confirmed as a permanent appointment on Friday, has taken 2.29 points per game since taking over, the best average of any Premier League manager this season and the best of any United boss since Alex Ferguson’s final season in 2012-13.Fernandes started the game level with Thierry Henry (2002-03) and Kevin De Bruyne (2019-20) on 20 assists for the season before Patrick Dorgu headed in his corner on 33 minutes.Bryan Mbeumo added a second just before half-time and the Fernandes scored the third himself shortly after the restart, with United ending the season third on 71 points.Here The Athletic’s Mark Critchley breaks down the key talking points.How did Fernandes make history?With a Champions League spot wrapped up and a third-place finish locked in whatever happens, there was only one objective for United on the final weekend: for Bruno Fernandes to get his 21st assist.Equalling the Premier League record for the most in a single season last weekend was nice and all, but moving past Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne at the top of the rankings would be history.It took only a little more than half an hour to happen. Fernandes had not created much from open play up until that point, but his set-piece delivery has been the backbone of his push for this record, and his delivery for Patrick Dorgu was perfect.Dorgu heads in a record-setting goal for Fernandes (Photo: Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)Fernandes would always priortise silverware over records and awards — he would take leading United to a 21st top-flight league title over this 21st assist any day of the week.