Matheus Cunha insists Michael Carrick has brought Sir Alex Ferguson ‘magic’ to Manchester United since succeeding Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
Victory over Liverpool on Sunday means that Carrick has secured Champions League football for next season, beating Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in the process.
For Cunha, who scored the opening goal in the 3-2 win, waxed lyrical about his head coach after the match, likening him to the club’s greatest ever manager.
‘We’re learning so much, of course,’ Cunha said. ‘When Michael [Carrick] came, he came with magic! [Sir] Alex Ferguson vibes.
‘He talks so much about his team, the conquering team. This feeling comes to us. We feel so happy with the information, we focus so hard to reach the objective.
‘At the end of the day, this is just the start of the journey, it’s the beginning – a beautiful beginning!’
Michael Carrick masterminded victory over Liverpool to secure Champions League football
United wobbled at the start of the second half, throwing away a two-goal lead to be pegged back to 2-2.
But they recovered and man of the match Kobbie Mainoo scored the winning goal to seal a famous victory and make it the first time in a decade United have done the league double over Liverpool.
‘I think it’s a journey we expected to come,’ Cunha added.
‘It’s unbelievable. These kind of games are the ones anyone wants to play. When we win, I think it feels the best possible way.
Asked about the exhilarating first half, Cunha said: ‘I think this week was very important. It’s the biggest game in England and everybody is so motivated.
‘When we started the game, I think we were there. We were so focused to do what we trained do. First half we did that.’
On his goal, he revealed that he had been the source of plenty of dressing room jokes about not finding the back of the net enough.
‘The guys come to me and joke so much inside of the locker room – I think I was lucky to finish the play there!’ Cunha joked, marking his ninth goal of the season.
Matheus Cunha scored the opening goal and he was full of praise for Carrick’s ‘magic’ touch
‘I’m happy to strike it and be lucky. The ball is in the net, that’s the only thing that’s important.’
Under Carrick, including his interim spell in 2021, United have won eight of their nine league home games, losing once.
They have one remaining home game against Nottingham Forest, sandwiched between next weekend’s trip to Sunderland and the final day trip to Brighton.
