Michael Carrick believes Bruno Fernandes would be a worthy recipient of the PFA Player of the Year award after his "fantastic" season for Manchester United. 

Fernandes has played a key part in the Red Devils' revival under Carrick, which has seen them surge up to third and be in control of the race for Champions League football. 

He recorded his 100th assist in all competitions during United's 3-1 win over Aston Villa, becoming the fourth player to reach that landmark for the club in the Premier League era. 

Fernandes has 16 assists in the Premier League this season, overtaking David Beckham's record (15 in 1999-00) as the most for the Red Devils in a single campaign. 

The 31-year-old has also created more chances (98) than any other player in the top flight, while his 23 goal involvements are only bettered by Manchester City's Erling Haaland (29). 

"I think he has had a fantastic season. I'm delighted that he is playing the way he is and having an impact for us," Carrick said when asked if Fernandes should win the award. 

"Having him right up there in these conversations, I'd love to see him take the award.

"It says a lot about what is going on in the club and how the team is playing, but we will have to see how that plans out, but I'm really pleased with him."

18 - Bruno Fernandes' 16 assists in the Premier League this season have won Manchester United 18 points, the most by a player for a team in a single campaign in the history of the competition. Construct. pic.twitter.com/bvQlUfRDtS

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 17, 2026

And Fernandes will be hoping to have an impact in United's next Premier League clash, with a long trip to Bournemouth up next for Carrick's side on Friday. 

Bournemouth sit 10th in the table after being held to a goalless draw with relegation-threatened Burnley last time out, though that result extended their unbeaten league run. 

They have now gone 10 top-flight games without losing (W4 D6) for just the second time, also having an 11-game run between November and January in the 2024-25 season.

However, Bournemouth have drawn five Premier League matches 0-0 this season, more than any other club. The Cherries have had back-to-back league games end goalless for the first time since April 2022 in the Championship, against Sheffield United and Middlesbrough.

Asked about the lack of goals in recent games, defender James Hill said: "It's a difficult question, I think we are just a yard off finishing it off.

"But listen, the lads are creating lots of chances and, if we continue to do that, then we are more likely than not to convert those chances.

"We just need to keep being positive going into the next game and hopefully these chances will start converting for us."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bournemouth – Junior Kroupi

Junior Kroupi created four chances against Burnley – it is only the third time a teenager has created 3+ chances in a Premier League match for Bournemouth.

The other two instances have all come across their last four games, when Kroupi did so against West Ham and Burnley, with Rayan also achieving the feat against Sunderland.

Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes

Fernandes has created 6+ chances in each of his last three Premier League games, the first player to do so since Trent Alexander-Arnold in December 2023.

No player on record (from 2003-04) has created six or more chances in four successive appearances in the competition, and you back him to have his say against the Cherries.

He has been involved in eight goals in his eight league games against Bournemouth (four goals, four assists), though only two of these (two goals, 0 assists) have come at the Vitality Stadium.

MATCH PREDICTION: DRAW

Bournemouth are unbeaten in their last five top-flight games against United (W2 D3), scoring more goals in these five (13) than they did in their first 12 against them in the division (10).

Iraola's side have also won three of their four Friday night games in the Premier League, with the exception being a 4-2 loss at Liverpool in the opening game this season.

However, Bournemouth have drawn each of their last four Premier League games, three of which have been goalless. The last side to draw five consecutive matches in the competition were Fulham between December 2020 and January 2021.

United, meanwhile, have lost just two of their eight away Premier League games against Bournemouth (W4 D2). Their last two visits to the Vitality Stadium have seen them come from behind to draw.

In addition, since Carrick took charge of Manchester United in January, the Red Devils have won more Premier League games (seven) and more Premier League points (22) than any other side.

But United have won just one of their five away Friday night games in the Premier League (D2 L2), beating Villa 1-0 in August 2015.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Bournemouth – 38.7%

Draw – 26.5%

Manchester United – 34.8%