Michael Carrick sets Matheus Cunha benchmark ahead of Aston Villa clash

Michael Carrick hailed Matheus Cunha’s match-winning display against Roma in the Champions League. The under-pressure Manchester United head coach wants the Brazilian forward to replicate it consistently, as Aston Villa come to Old Trafford on Sunday evening.

Despite beating Roma in the Champions League on Tuesday night, Manchester United are winless in seven Premier League matches. Unai Emery, who has never won at Old Trafford, will think this is his best chance to end that record on his 10th visit to the iconic stadium.

Michael Carrick will hope his players can build on the midweek win. Otherwise, they will spend the November international break sitting in the relegation zone. That will only lead to more scrutiny for Carrick and his future as head coach.

It would enhance United’s chances of winning if key players show up and perform on Sunday. Just like Matheus Cunha did against Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma side.

Michael Carrick demands more from Matheus Cunha

Carrick needs to win more football matches before United are back on track. Although Emery doesn’t have a good record at Old Trafford, United have won one of their four home league matches so far. That comes with the tallies of seven goals conceded compared to six scored.

Bryan Mbeumo and Cunha are United’s main sources of goals, with four each across all competitions. That’s one more than Bruno Fernandes, who hasn’t been his influential self this term.

Speaking to the media ahead of United vs Villa, Carrick demanded more from Cunha and called on the Brazilian forward to replicate his performance against Roma. The head coach needs to raise the standards quickly, and Cunha has shown he can win football matches.

“He definitely has to repeat that performance,” Carrick told reporters.

“He was fantastic and that’s him close to his best and that’s the level where we want to see, not just from him, but from the team. I think the beauty of Matheus is he can play different positions across the frontline. He’s played off the left for us and did ever so well last season.

“He’s played off the left; he’s played through the middle at times. He played half through off the left, half through the middle. I think that bit of freedom and fluidity I think suits him a lot. But he can do both, for sure; he can do both.”

Carrick clearly appreciates Cunha’s versatility, but if he starts to score regularly, it could save the head coach’s job. The same applies to Mbeumo and Fernandes.

United have enough quality players to get over this slump. Only time will tell if they can build on their recent win over Roma, or if they’re spending the next few weeks in the drop zone.