Manchester United midfielder Bruno Fernandes has congratulated Donny van de Beek after the Dutchman finally ended his long wait to register an assist in the Premier League.
The Red Devils solidified second spot in the league – and closed the gap to leaders Manchester City to eight points – with a solid 3-1 victory over Burnley at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Mason Greenwood put the hosts ahead shortly after half-time with a fine finish, though Burnley hit back with an immediate equaliser through James Tarkowski.
United again took the lead as Greenwood grabbed a second thanks to a big deflection, before Edinson Cavani wrapped up all three points late on.
It was that last goal which may have given United fans and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer the most delight, with Van de Beek coming off the bench to set up the Uruguayan striker.
A wonderful, flowing counter saw Bruno Fernandes play in Van de Beek and the midfielder played a perfect, first-time pass into the path of Cavani who could not miss from close range.
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That assist was Van de Beek’s first in the Premier League – and his first goal involvement in the league since the very first game of the season, when he netted in a 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace.
The Dutchman has endured a difficult first season at Old Trafford, but Fernandes was clearly delighted for his teammate, tagging him on Twitter and writing: ‘Donny boy!! What a way to celebrate your birthday.
‘Another three points! Let’s keep making winning a habit.’
Van de Beek had entered the match in the 84th minute as a substitute for Marcus Rashford and Solskjaer was delighted that the former Ajax man was able to make a morale-boosting impact off the bench.
‘In the end Donny had to come on for [Rashford] and Donny did well, so I was pleased with that one,’ said the United boss after the game.
Van de Beek’s only other assist for United came in the Carabao Cup against Brighton all the way back in September.
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