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Cunha scores stunning late winner as Man Utd beat Arsenal
Michael Carrick is proving adept at deflecting questions about his interest in the Manchester United managerial position on a permanent basis.
He instead chose to highlight the presence of his children among the away supporters at the Emirates Stadium, who celebrated Matheus Cunha’s decisive goal and the subsequent 3-2 victory – United’s first at Arsenal in eight years.
Whether Carrick’s children joined the chorus of appreciation for their father following the final whistle remains unknown. However, the visiting contingent of 3,000 was certainly vociferous in their support.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the minority owner overseeing football operations at Old Trafford, appeared pleased from his seat in the directors’ box, a rare moment of satisfaction during his two-year tenure.
Carrick’s first two games in charge have yielded consecutive wins. In comparison, Ruben Amorim, during his 14-month tenure, only achieved this once – as part of a three-game winning streak earlier in the season that earned him the Manager of the Month award for October.
Under Carrick, United have accumulated six points. Amorim required five games to reach seven, subsequently losing the following three.
United’s last two matches, against the league’s top two teams, have produced twice as many points as their previous three encounters against Leeds, Wolves, and Burnley – all currently in the bottom five.
Just six weeks ago, Carrick was an unlikely candidate for the United job compared to Crystal Palace’s Oliver Glasner.
Now, however, perceptions may be shifting.
Concerns regarding a repeat of the 2018-19 scenario are being challenged by recent events.
Seven seasons ago, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s interim appointment led to eight consecutive wins, followed by six victories in nine games, culminating in a remarkable Champions League triumph against Paris St-Germain. This performance secured him the permanent position.
Solskjaer guided United to a Europa League final in 2021, but the initial promise eventually faded.
Results often overshadow well-reasoned arguments, though Carrick remains grounded.
His emphasis on “riding” the current wave refers to harnessing the momentum and emotion from victories against Manchester City and Arsenal.
Carrick briefly celebrated Cunha’s late goal, a justifiable reaction after conceding an equaliser just moments earlier.
“You have to ride it, and use the emotion, the energy and confidence,” he stated post-match. “But you also have to be humble and realise how we have achieved these two results.
“We can’t look too far ahead. We won’t anyway but looking too far ahead can bite you.”
An attempt by Sky Sports to elicit Carrick’s desire for the permanent role was met with resistance.
“I am here to do a job,” he responded. “When I came here less than two weeks ago, I said we would make every decision for the bigger picture.
“We are not getting carried away. It is two huge results, but we will keep our feet on the ground.
“I am enjoying it and I will continue to do what I can.”
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So many positives to take – Carrick
Carrick has addressed key issues, moving away from his predecessor’s 3-4-3 formation, reinstating a four-man defence, recalling Kobbie Mainoo, and pushing captain Bruno Fernandes further forward.
He has also made astute decisions, such as selecting Patrick Dorgu over Matheus Cunha on the left wing, a move that has paid dividends. Dorgu has scored twice in Carrick’s two games, with Cunha adding his impressive winner against Arsenal to the assist he provided for United’s second goal against Manchester City.
“He [Cunha] epitomises what we’ve been like,” said Carrick. “He has not started both games and he’s been disappointed not to start. But he’s used it in a really good way. He’s had a real big impact and two huge moments.
“I fancied him to score when the ball came out of his feet. He totally deserves it because of how he has applied himself.”
Cunha told Match of the Day that there is a “different energy” about Carrick’s United.
“He played here so many years,” he said. “He knows the feeling for Manchester United. He spoke with us and told us how big it is to play for this club. He said everyone is against us, so we have to go on the pitch and give everything.”
Carrick prefers others to assess his impact.
“What a job he is doing,” Micah Richards commented on Sky Sports. “The overall spirit looks different. The big question was: Could they back up the win over Manchester City? They backed it up all right.”
Three weeks prior, Carrick was vacationing with Wayne Rooney in Barbados. On Friday, the pair were together at Old Trafford, watching Kai Rooney help United’s Under-18s reach the FA Youth Cup’s last 16.
Rooney is well-placed to understand Carrick’s current situation.
“Two wins out of two against Manchester City and Arsenal,” he said. “I don’t think he would have dreamed of that start when he took over last week.
“You’ve seen a complete change in everything since he’s been in.”
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