Matheus Cunha Explains Michael Carrick’s Influence at Manchester United
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha believes the club has finally rediscovered its identity under the guidance of interim manager Michael Carrick.
Since taking the reins in January following the departure of Ruben Amorim, Carrick has overseen a staggering transformation at Old Trafford. The former midfield maestro has injected a sense of belief and tactical discipline that many felt had vanished during the turbulent months of the early season.
The resurgence reached a fever pitch this week as United secured Champions League qualification with three games to spare. It was a feat sealed by a pulsating 3-2 victory over arch-rivals Liverpool, a match in which Cunha himself opened the scoring.
Despite Football Director Jason Wilcox setting a top-four finish as the primary objective mid-season, few pundits believed the squad possessed the consistency to overhaul their rivals.
The Ferguson Connection
Carrick’s record speaks for itself as 10 victories in 14 matches. Beyond the statistics, however, lies a deeper connection to the club’s golden era. Having won five Premier League titles and a Champions League under Sir Alex Ferguson, Carrick serves as a living bridge to the standards that once defined the “Theatre of Dreams.”
Speaking to the BBC, Cunha explained that this pedigree is the secret ingredient in United’s sudden ascent.
“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, teaches us how it was, to be part of everything. Then he did this. It’s amazing. He’s a pleasure. Of course, I think he deserves it.”
The Brazilian international, a £62.5m arrival from Wolves last summer, has become a symbol of this new era. His ninth goal of the campaign against Liverpool followed crucial winners at Arsenal and Chelsea, proving he is a man for the big occasion. His flair on the pitch is matched by his vibrant personality, often punctuated by his signature “surfing” celebration.
Celebrating the Turnaround
Cunha’s joy on the pitch has become infectious. He revealed to the BBC that his unique celebration is actually a work in progress, influenced by his roots back home.
“I’ve improved my celebration a little bit,” Cunha joked. “Every time, my friends in Brazil every time say, ‘you cannot only surf, you have to paddle and stand up on the surfboard’. I said OK, I’ll try to improve. It’s part of my life; to bring this into football and show everyone how happy I am to play football and surf. I have to do it.”
However, beneath the joy of qualification lies a firm demand for more. Carrick has reportedly warned the squad against complacency, eyeing a top-three finish and the chance to close the gap on the league leaders to its narrowest margin since 2021. Cunha echoes this sentiment, insisting that Champions League football is merely the baseline for a club of United’s stature.
“The Champions League without this club is not the same competition, and this club without Champions League is not same club,” Cunha asserted. “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.”
Uncertainty Surrounding Casemiro
As the club looks toward a summer of transition, the future of veteran midfielder Casemiro remains a talking point. While Carrick and the player himself have signaled a departure, Cunha remains hopeful for a twist in the tale.
“It’s so easy to talk about him,” he told the BBC. “I know how important he is. He’s an amazing guy… 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.”
