Matheus Cunha explains how Michael Carrick is using Sir Alex Ferguson 'magic' to fuel Manchester United charge

Cunha scored United's opening goal on Sunday as his side continued their miraculous turnaround under Carrick with a 3-2 victory against Liverpool, ensuring UEFA Champions League football will return to Old Trafford next season.

Since he was appointed as United's head coach until the end of the campaign, succeeding Ruben Amorim at the helm, Carrick has guided his side to 10 wins from his 14 matches in charge. They have defeated Manchester City, Arsenal and now Arne Slot's Liverpool within that run.

Carrick was a key player for United in their years of success under Ferguson, and Cunha feels a likeness between the current head coach and the legendary manager who won 38 trophies during 26 years in charge of the club.

"I sat on the bench with him," Cunha told reporters after their win over Liverpool. "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."

Carrick's arrival as interim head coach was initially seen as a temporary stop-gap before a new, permanent head coach was appointed in the summer. However, United's turnaround has raised hopes of the former midfielder taking charge long-term, with TNT Sports expert Joe Cole saying it would be "absurd" and "utterly ridiculous" not to do so.

As United's second successive season without Champions League football comes to an end, Cunha looked ahead to his side's aspirations of winning the competition on their return next year.

"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 Champions League is not same club.

"But it is not only the Champions League. We need to fight for the titles. This is the first [step]. We could come much stronger for next season."

The decision over United's head coach is just one deliberation in an important summer for the club.

Also fuelling their upturn has been the miraculous form of midfielder Casemiro, who announced he would be leaving the club in January.

Having scored five Premier League goals and displayed a number of excellent performances since his announcement, there has been some hope that he may reverse his decision.

And Cunha did not rule out a U-turn by his compatriot.

"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."

United travel to the Stadium of Light to face Sunderland on Saturday, on a weekend which could see a third-placed finish secured.

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