Michael Carrick lauded the importance of Bruno Fernandes, as he celebrated Manchester United passing a tough test against Aston Villa on Sunday.
Fernandes teed up two goals as United swept aside their fellow top-four challengers 3-1 at Old Trafford, strengthening their grip on third place and the potential for Champions League football next season.
Villa would have moved level on points with United with a victory on the red side of Manchester, but Carrick was delighted with how his side dealt with the challenge.
"It was a slightly different game today," he told Sky Sports.
"Being so close in the league and making the small jump that we could if we won and off the back of a defeat, it was a small test in some ways, and we haven't really had that with the games we've had to deal with.
"The boys dealt with it fantastically well. Moving forward, there is a lot to play for."
Fernandes created Casemiro's headed opener, before releasing Matheus Cunha to restore United's lead when Ross Barkley had restored parity in the second half.
His assist for Cunha’s goal was Fernandes' 100th in all competitions for Man Utd, becoming the fourth player to reach a century of assists for the club in the Premier League era, after Ryan Giggs (249), Wayne Rooney (127) and David Beckham (115).
The Portugal midfielder also went past Beckham (15 in 1999-2000) for the most assists in a single Premier League campaign for United, taking his tally to 16 for the 2025-26 season.
"He's had so many big moments, whether it's to score a goal or to make a pass, he is always there. He always puts himself forward, whether it's training or a game," Carrick said of him.
"Casemiro and Bruno [Fernandes] have a good understanding. Some you can coach, and some you leave to them to find the moment. The partnership they have is pretty obvious. It was a great ball and a great header."
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Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry share the single-season record for the most assists in one Premier League campaign (20 each), with Fernandes needing five more from eight games to breach that mark.
"I am more pleased because I did it serving my team-mates," Fernandes told Sky Sports when asked about his century of assists.
"That is even better; giving joy to the others is very good. I am very happy I can help them to score and be happy. It's a huge achievement for me. The main achievement will be in the top spots at the end of the season."
The United captain also felt his side could still improve, despite sweeping aside another top-four rival, having already beaten Manchester City and Arsenal since Carrick took interim charge for a second time.
"It was very important against a direct opponent," he added. "We had the same points, so getting this advantage from them is always good.
"We needed to win the game after the last game. Today, we did the job. I still think we can do much better."