B Fee's record-breaking assist might actually be an own goal? Premier League has no intention to overturn! Manchester United set to open contract renewal talks with captain

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes is widely recognized to have broken the Premier League single-season assist record. In the 3-0 victory over Brighton, his corner kick helped Patrick Dorgu score a header. However, a major controversy emerged after the match, as slow-motion replays suggested the goal might actually be an own goal by Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen!

A slow-motion replay showed Dorgu's header first hitting the crossbar, then bouncing off the goalkeeper's hand and into the net. The footage indicated that after striking the bar, the ball was heading outward, only to be redirected inside by Verbruggen's hand. If that trajectory holds, the goal should be counted as an own goal by the goalkeeper. Understood, an own goal does not have an assister, so B Fee's 21st assist might thus be voided.

Manchester United fans argued that there is insufficient evidence to prove Dorgu's header would have definitely gone out after hitting the bar; it could still have deflected into the goal. Therefore, following the principle of encouraging attacking play, the goal belongs to Dorgu, making B Fee's assist valid.

According to Premier League Rule 14, when determining whether a goal is an own goal, if an attacking player's shot on target is blocked but the goalkeeper loses control or accidentally knocks the ball into the net, the goal is awarded to the attacking player who made the shot.

Based on strict football statistics, a shot that hits the crossbar and rebounds is not considered a shot on target; statistically it is classified as not hitting the target. However, when analyzing the rebound angle of a shot, the Premier League follows the principle of "case law" under its common law system.

Historically, the controversial goal review panel treats a close-range shot that hits the goal frame and then the goalkeeper as a chaotic defensive process. Since the goalkeeper was actively preparing to make a save, the panel tends to consider the player's intention rather than simply ruling it an own goal due to an accidental physical rebound.

In such cases, only if the goalkeeper or a defender deliberately kicks or handles the ball into their own net is it considered an own goal. Therefore, the review panel ultimately determined that this goal belonged to Dorgu, so B Fee automatically received the official assist recognition.

In reality, from the perspective of building stars and enhancing the league's influence, neither the league nor the FA has any reason to cancel B Fee's assist, which would prevent him from breaking the record. They usually prefer to be accommodating.

On February 27, 2023, during the League Cup final where Manchester United defeated Newcastle United 2-0, one of United's goals swung back and forth between being an own goal and a goal by Rashford, eventually being ruled as Rashford's goal.

Slow-motion replays showed Rashford's shot seemed to be heading outside the far post, but after deflecting off a Newcastle defender, it changed direction and went into the net. The FA ultimately ruled it as Rashford's goal, allowing him to achieve a personal record of 30 goals in all competitions in a single season.

After the match, the Premier League also officially presented B Fee with the Playmaker award in collaboration with Coca-Cola. B Fee breaking the record sufficiently proves that their choice was very correct.

Coincidentally, Rashford's new contract worth £325,000 per week, based on his 30-goal season, was later considered a wrong decision. This time, Sir Jim Ratcliffe's management team also faces a choice: whether to renew the contract with the 31-year-old B Fee.

Casemiro has already left, Rashford will be sold, and B Fee's £300,000 weekly wage will become the highest in the squad. If he renews, his income could reach £400,000! BBC reports that Manchester United is expected to hold talks with B Fee's agent in the coming weeks. He is in a strong negotiating position, but the club also wants to avoid losing control of wage expenditure. Head coach Carrick firmly believes B Fee will stay at the club.

B Fee thanked coach Jonny Evans for the set-piece design that helped him break the record. According to his disclosure, B Fee himself didn't believe that Dorgu, who plays as a full-back, could score a header from a corner, but Evans suggested it anyway, noting the Dane's good height of 185 cm. The tactic ultimately worked out.