Manchester United: Michael Carrick has ‘magic’ of Sir Alex Ferguson era, says Matthews Cunha

Manchester United forward Matthews Cunha believes interim boss Michael Carrick has the “magic” to reconnect the club with its trophy-laden Sir Alex Ferguson era.

Cunha scored the opening goal at Old Trafford that put United on their way 3-2 win over Liverpool Which ensured Champions League qualification with three matches remaining.

It was a feat that United were believed to be capable of, although director of football Jason Wilcox said the goal was to return to Europe’s elite club competition after the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January.

Carrick has produced 10 wins in his 14 games in charge, putting him in pole position to be appointed on a full-time basis.

The 44-year-old was part of the last great United side under Ferguson, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League.

Cunha thinks connectivity is crucial.

“I sat on the bench with him,” Cunha said.

“The way he teaches everybody is amazing. Ferguson has his magic with this time. Then he comes and brings it to us, teaches us what it was like, to be a part of everything. Then he did it.

“It’s amazing. He’s a joy. Of course, I think he deserves it.”

Carrick has already made it clear that his squad cannot relax as they have achieved their goals.

They still need four points to finish in the top-three for only the fifth time since Ferguson retired in 2013. They could be less than 12 points behind the closest post-Ferguson champions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020-21.

“Playing at this club is my biggest opportunity,” said Cunha.

“The Champions League is not the same competition without this club, and this club is not the same club without the Champions League.

“But it’s not just the Champions League. We have to fight for the title. This is the first (step). We can be even stronger next season.”

It will be a summer of change at Old Trafford, not least because Cunha’s Brazil international team-mate Casemiro is leaving. Or is he?

Casemiro said he is and Carrick reinforced the point when speaking to the media on Friday.

But Cunha knows the 34-year-old well. He’s not so sure.

“He’s very easy to talk about,” he said. “I know how important he is.

“He is an amazing guy. He has a strong side off the pitch. He is very nice and friendly. He teaches me.

“We ultimately don’t know how it was with his contract. Of course, everyone hopes there’s a little bit more. I know it’s harder than we’ve talked about, but, ultimately, you never know.”

United expected Cunha when they paid Wolves £62.5m last summer, when he was a priority target.

With such a huge personality, it wouldn’t be too much for the 26-year-old to join a club of that size.

His goal against Liverpool was his ninth of the season, with some important goals for Carrick, notably the winners at Arsenal and Chelsea.

This gave Cunha time to show off his familiar surfing celebration, which reached a new level against Liverpool, when he ran off, was chased by teammates, dived to the ground and then rose to ‘surf’.

“I improved my celebration a bit,” he said.

“Every time, my friends in Brazil say, ‘You can’t just surf, you have to paddle and stand on the surfboard’. I said OK, I’ll try to improve.

“It’s part of my life; to bring it to football and show everyone how happy I am to play football and surf. I have to do it.”