Bruno Fernandes has confirmed Manchester United needed a change when Michael Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim as head coach. Speaking after collecting his Footballer of the Year award, the captain said the club was close to their top-four target but required a different direction for "different reasons" he declined to name. Carrick steered United from sixth to third, securing Champions League qualification.

Carrick has since agreed a two-year deal to stay on permanently. Thirteen of Fernandes' 20 Premier League assists came after Amorim's departure, making this his strongest season at Old Trafford. The Portuguese was restored to his favoured No 10 role by Darren Fletcher before Carrick kept him in a more advanced position.

Fernandes set up Bryan Mbeumo for his 20th assist in Sunday's 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest, giving him a shot at breaking Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne's record against Brighton. Roy Keane called the pursuit a "circus act," but Fernandes insisted he prioritises team success over individual accolades.