What happened: Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha publicly praised manager Michael Carrick, saying the boss arrived "with magic" and channels "Alex Ferguson vibes" in the dressing room. Cunha said Carrick constantly invokes the club's conquering history, and that the squad has bought into the message and is focused on reaching its objective.

Why it matters: The quotes land days after Cunha celebrated United's return to form against Liverpool, and after Bruno Fernandes credited Carrick's arrival with United's surprise climb up the table. With Champions League qualification secured for 2026/27 per the Premier League, Carrick's man-management is increasingly the storyline behind United's late-season surge.

What to watch: Watch whether United can finish the Premier League season strong and whether Carrick's authority — and the Ferguson comparisons from inside the squad — translate into a long-term mandate heading into the summer window.