Despite a positive turn in form since Michael Carrick’s arrival, Matheus Cunha has insisted that former manager Ruben Amorim deserves credit for the work he did during his tenure at the club.
Manchester United are currently unbeaten in Michael Carrick’s first five games in charge. Carrick was appointed on the 13th January 2026, eight days after Ruben Amorim was dismissed, and he is set to remain in charge for the remainder of the season.
Amorim was sacked following a fallout between him and the board following United’s draw at Elland Road in January, where Matheus Cunha levelled things up three minutes after Leeds opened the scoring courtesy of Brenden Aaronson.
In his final two games in charge, Amorim failed to beat both Wolves and Leeds, which fuelled frustration, leading to his eventual sacking. Since his departure, United are unbeaten in the Premier League and look much more comfortable with Carrick’s tactics.
Carrick’s side travel to Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on Monday as they hope to cement their place in the top 4. The toffees currently sit in 8th and will be optimistic after United’s underwhelming draw against West Ham last time out.
Cunha praises Amorim
Matheus Cunha was signed by Manchester United for £62.5 million and was Ruben Amorim’s first summer signing. Despite only working with together for a short period of time, the pair built a close relationship at the club.
The fanbase has been rejuvenated since Carrick took over and the players look like a new team. However, the idea that everything has changed overnight is a false one. In an interview with DAZN, Matheus Cunha explained how Amorim had a positive impact on the team and eliminates the suggestion that he was damaging to the club.
“I’ve always been very grateful for everything Ruben did,” he explained. “I think it’s easy, when things change, to see the past as only problems, but it’s quite the opposite, he was an incredible person.
“Many new players came because of him, so I think he also plays a big part in the success we are having now.
“The pressure for that tactic to work was so great that we forgot how simple the overall context was and focused too much on the negative,” he added. “But, to be very honest, I think the numerology of football is very misleading.
“We attack in various ways and end up defending with the formation that everyone says is Ruben’s.”
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Cunha’s fine form
Cunha has continued his impressive start at United during Carrick’s reign. The Brazilian has now scored 6 goals so far in his first season at the club, and has shown his versatility when being deployed either as an attacking midfielder, left winger or striker.
It was clear that both Cunha and Bryan Mbuemo were signed due to their Premier League experience and suitability to Amorim’s system. Amorim predominantly used the pair as two attacking midfielders in his 3-4-3 system, a formation that was familiar to Cunha during his time at Wolves.
Read more: Michael Carrick shows ultimate class with pundit pressure response after Roy Keane embarrassment
Since Amorim left the club, United have switched back to a back four in a 4-2-3-1 shape. With Bruno Fernandes regaining his spot as the starting ‘number 10’, this has pushed Cunha out wide or occasionally into the striker role.
Some thought this change would negatively impact Cunha, but his attitude and quality has shone through and he has proved his worth no matter the system the team plays. Whilst the pressure feels to have lifted in the last few weeks, it will inevitably build again as United aim to finish in a Champions League place, and Cunha is exactly the type of player and character who thrives in those situations.
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