Matheus Cunha Reveals Michael Carrick's 'Us Against the World' Mentality Before Arsenal Victory
Matheus Cunha has lifted the lid on the inspirational message from interim manager Michael Carrick that propelled Manchester United to a stunning comeback victory against Arsenal. The Brazilian forward, who came off the bench to score a dramatic late winner, disclosed that Carrick emphasised an "us against the world" mentality in the dressing room before the match.
Carrick Taps Into United Emotion and History
Michael Carrick, who enjoyed a distinguished playing career at Old Trafford, has continued to harness the deep emotional connection of representing Manchester United. According to Cunha, the interim boss told the squad that "everyone is against us", urging them to channel this perceived adversity into a powerful collective spirit on the pitch.
Cunha elaborated on Carrick's approach, stating: "He played here so many years. 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."
Dramatic Emirates Victory Seals Impressive Start
The 3-2 triumph at the Emirates Stadium marked Carrick's second consecutive victory since taking temporary charge, following an earlier win against Manchester City. This result has significantly bolstered United's position, lifting them into the Premier League's top four and strengthening Carrick's case for the permanent managerial role beyond the summer.
Cunha's 87th-minute strike capped a remarkable five-goal thriller, with United recovering from a deficit to defeat the league leaders. The Brazilian's impact as a substitute has been particularly notable, having also changed the game against City before his decisive intervention against Arsenal.
Carrick Praises Cunha's Professional Attitude
The interim manager has been equally complimentary about the summer signing from Wolves, highlighting his professional response to being named on the bench for consecutive matches. Carrick remarked: "He [Cunha] epitomises what we've been like. 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."
Carrick added that he "fancied him to score" when the opportunity arose, crediting Cunha's application and mindset for his match-winning contributions.
Squad Depth Proving Crucial for United
Defender Harry Maguire pointed to the returning players from the Africa Cup of Nations and the quality available from the bench as key factors in United's recent resurgence. Maguire specifically highlighted Cunha's ability to make a difference in crucial moments, stating: "He's come on against City and changed the game, and today again, he's made the difference for us. It just shows the squad of players, the attacking talent that we have now."
This enhanced squad depth, coupled with Carrick's motivational techniques rooted in his own United experience, appears to be forging a resilient and determined team spirit at Old Trafford during this transitional period.
