Matheus Cunha credits ‘incredible’ Ruben Amorim for Man United’s turnaround under Michael Carrick

Matheus Cunha has expressed his gratitude for former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim, crediting their recent upturn in form in part to the ‘incredible’ Portuguese manager.

Amorim was relieved of his duties as United head coach at the beginning of January, following just two victories in seven Premier League matches, and has since been replaced by Michael Carrick on an interim basis.

Carrick has orchestrated a remarkable turnaround at the club, guiding them to a five-match unbeaten run which began with four straight victories, including impressive wins over rivals Manchester City and leaders Arsenal.

Cunha has shone under the stewardship of Carrick, playing a key role in United’s resurgence, including scoring the late winner at the Emirates to stun the Gunners.

However, the Brazilian has explained that United’s, and his, purple patch is not all down to Carrick, but also his former boss Amorim.

‘I’ve always been very grateful for everything Ruben did,’ Cunha told DAZN. ‘I think it’s very easy, when things change, to see the past as only problems, but it’s quite the opposite; he was an incredible person.

United are unbeaten in the five games they have played under inerim boss Michael Carrick (right)

‘Many new players came because of him, so I think he also plays a big part in the success we are having now.’

Amorim was in charge at Old Trafford for 14 months during a turbulent period in which United endured their worst season in more than half a century and missed out on Europe for only the second time in 35 years.

One of the biggest criticisms of Amorim during his reign at the club was his lack of flexibility when it came toswitching from his system of three central defenders.

But Cunha believes there was too much focus on Amorim’s system, and that the team often still defend in a similar formation under Carrick, which has proven to be a success.

He continued: ‘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.

‘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.’