Matheus Cunha has been one of the biggest beneficiaries of Michael Carrick’s appointment, and his latest comments have told Ineos exactly what to look for in the next permanent manager.
Michael Carrick keeps strengthening his case to become the permanent manager at Old Trafford, having been trusted in a temporary capacity in January.
Dominoes are falling to help Carrick, his own results are impressive, and public backing from multiple players doesn’t hurt either.
What is your message to Michael Carrick after the win vs Everton?
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In the same vein, Matheus Cunha recently lauded Carrick’s qualities, and a key feature of those comments might end up helping his case the most.
Michael Carrick looks on during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Manchester United at the London Stadium in Stratford, England, in 2026.
Photo by Kevin Hodgson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Many Man Utd players have already come out publicly in support of Carrick getting the Man Utd manager job, from Bruno Fernandes to Harry Maguire, and more.
Man Utd fans know that, but the moment adversity hits, these comments can act as ammunition to unsettle the club and the players.
In an interview with Brazilian outlet Globo, Cunha praised Carrick’s playing pedigree, and, probably understanding that potential pitfall, championed his mentality.
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He said: “He was coached by Alex Ferguson, who is a legend of the sport. He knows what it takes to win here.
“I believe that, more than tactical issues, Carrick adds a lot from the side of someone who knows the paths representing the club.”
Man Utd are not a club that needs a dull tactical mastermind to outwit the opposition manager in every game. If that were the case, Ruben Amorim or Louis van Gaal, or Jose Mourinho would be collecting trophies yearly.
Cunha’s comments make it clear what Ineos need to look for in their next manager.
Michael Carrick is just another Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with better players: __ % AGREE
Fill in the blank. Is Carrick actually a better coach, or are we falling for the same trap again?
Michael Carrick and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as Man Utd managers
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Michael Carrick as Man Utd managers
Carrick is trying everything to stamp his credentials
Cunha’s comments might unintentionally serve as an unwanted reminder of the Ole Gunnar Solskjaer era, where it was often said that he lacked the tactical depth necessary for sustained success.
Carrick has made a conscious effort to shed that label, be it through his comments in the press or via his players stressing his tactical acumen.
However, even that narrative is unfair to Solskjaer, because he was a single spot-kick away from winning the Europa League, and actually apologised to the fans for finishing second.
The current United side would kill to be in that position, because a tactical mastermind in Amorim had this club struggling in the UEL final and promising good days after a 15th-placed finish.
What Carrick has done is bring the standards back, where UCL qualification is not success, it’s the bare minimum, because that’s the culture he played under at Old Trafford.
It might happen or it might not, but knowing this club’s pedigree and the ability to handle the pressure that comes with it is the chief indicator of success here.
Carrick has that in spades, and Cunha has just hinted to Ineos why their ideal permanent appointment is already in the dugout right now.
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