Bruno Fernandes insisted he had no qualms with former Manchester United captain Roy Keane's scathing assessment of his quest for the single-season assists record. 

Fernandes notched his 20th Premier League assist of the season against Nottingham Forest last time out, putting him on the cusp of writing himself into the history books.

Should he get one more against Brighton on the final day, he would be out on his own, surpassing Thierry Henry's tally from 2002-03 and Kevin De Bruyne's in 2019-20 (both 20). 

However, Keane suggested that Fernandes looked like a "circus act" during his vocal pursuit of breaking the record, adding that the Portugal international has put an individual accolade ahead of the team's success. 

The Red Devils are, however, already assured of Champions League football next season as well as a third-placed finish, and Fernandes was unfazed about Keane's criticism. 

Asked about the former United captain's comments, Fernandes added: "It is not something that I will ever chase.

"I know people can have different opinions about me, but they cannot say that I am not someone that looks to [help] the team and tries to make the team the most successful one.

"I will always try to win trophies and not individual accolades."

For Brighton, meanwhile, a 1-0 defeat to Leeds United last weekend meant they missed out on the chance to guarantee a European place, allowing Bournemouth to swoop in and do so after their draw with Manchester City in midweek. 

Fabian Hurzeler's side are seventh in the division and three points behind Bournemouth, though they could still finish sixth, with the possibility of that being enough to secure a first campaign in the Champions League. 

Should Aston Villa win their Europa League final against Freiburg on Wednesday and finish fifth in the Premier League, then sixth place will be enough to qualify for UEFA's flagship competition.

However, Brighton must beat United on the final day and hope Bournemouth lose away at Nottingham Forest, while also relying on Liverpool to get the better of Brentford and Unai Emery's men losing to City. 

Danny Welbeck, who received the Players' Player of the Year award at Brighton, is hoping things fall into the right place for the Seagulls on the final day. 

"I think we've put in a lot of hard work throughout the season, and to be recognised by your team-mates is always very special. I am privileged for that honour," Welbeck said. 

"It's been a good season, we've still got an important game on Sunday, but let's hope it can be even better. Let's make sure we can make some incredible memories."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Brighton – Danny Welbeck

In his career in English football, against no side has Welbeck scored more goals in all competitions than he has against his former side, United (eight).

It will also be his 400th Premier League appearance if he plays in this game, the 46th player to reach this milestone.

Manchester United – Bryan Mbeumo

After ending his 11-game run without a goal in the Premier League against Forest last time out, Mbeumo will be hoping to end his first season at Old Trafford on a high. 

And you would fancy him to have his say against the Seagulls. Against no side has he been involved in more Premier League goals than he has against Brighton (five goals, three assists), with these eight all coming in his last five starts against them. 

MATCH PREDICTION: BRIGHTON WIN

None of the 17 Premier League meetings between Brighton (eight wins) and United (nine) have been drawn, the most-played fixture in the competition to never finish level.

But it is Brighton who have had the better of this fixture in recent times. The Seagulls have the highest win rate against United of any side in Premier League history, both overall (47% – 8/17) and at home (63% – 5/8).

However, Brighton have lost their final league match in five of their eight seasons in the Premier League (W3), including a 2-0 home loss to the Red Devils back in 2023-24.

But Brighton are looking to win four consecutive home games for the very first time in the top-flight. This is the seventh time they have won three in a row at home at this level, losing their next match in five of the previous six instances (D1 – v Swansea City in October 1982).

Michael Carrick's side, meanwhile, are looking to complete the double over Brighton for the first time since 2020-21, though they have lost six of their last eight league matches against the Seagulls (W2) in the competition. 

Despite the Opta supercomputer favouring Brighton, only Arsenal (24) have won their final Premier League game of the season more often than United (23), while the Red Devils have lost the fewest final-day games of any side to compete in at least 20 campaigns (four).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Brighton – 49.8%

Draw – 23.3%

Manchester United – 26.9%