Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha believes interim manager Michael Carrick has the “magic” to reconnect the club with the trophy-laden years of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Cunha scored the opener at Old Trafford as United beat Liverpool 3-2 to secure UEFA Champions League qualification with three matches to spare.
The achievement looked unlikely earlier in the season, despite football director Jason Wilcox insisting a return to Europe’s elite competition remained the goal following Ruben Amorim’s January dismissal.
Carrick has overseen 10 wins from 14 matches and is now the leading candidate to take the role permanently.
The 44-year-old was part of United’s last great side under Ferguson, winning five Premier League titles and the Champions League.
“I sat on the bench with him,” said Cunha.
“How he teaches everyone is amazing. He has the magic with these Ferguson times. Then he comes and brings it to us, teaching us how it was so that we can be part of everything. Then he did this.
“It’s amazing. He’s a pleasure. Of course, I think he deserves it.”
Despite sealing qualification, Carrick has warned his squad that there can be no drop in standards. United still need four points to guarantee a top-three finish, which would be only their fifth since Ferguson retired in 2013. They could also finish fewer than 12 points behind the champions, their closest chase since the 2020-21 campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
“It’s one of the biggest privileges I have to play at this club,” said Cunha.
“The Champions League without this club is not the same competition, and this club without the Champions League is not the same club.
“But it is not only the Champions League. We need to fight for the titles. This is the first one [step]. We could come much stronger for next season.”
A summer shake-up looms at Old Trafford, with Cunha’s Brazil team-mate Casemiro widely expected to depart. The midfielder has said he will leave and Carrick echoed that view, yet Cunha remains unsure.
“It’s so easy to talk about him,” he said. “I know how important he is.
“He’s an amazing guy. There is a strong part of him outside the pitch. He’s so lovely and so friendly. He teaches me.
“We don’t know in the end how it is with his contract. Of course, everyone hopes there’s a little bit more. I know it’s harder than we talked about, but, in the end, you never know.”
Cunha has delivered since his £62.5 million move from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer, scoring nine goals this season. He has proven decisive a couple of times, including winning away to Arsenal and Chelsea.
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