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Former Manchester United ahead Michael Owen has insisted that caretaker boss Michael Carrick has a straightforward choice to make concerning Matheus Cunha, following the participant’s heroics in opposition to Arsenal.
One other spectacular Cunha cameo
Cunha got here on from the bench and was impactful but once more as United beat Arsenal 3-2 on the Emirates.
Arsenal’s Twenty ninth-minute lead was cancelled out by a Bryan Mbeumo aim, earlier than Patrick Dorgu mixed brilliantly with Bruno Fernandes and powered a strong end into the web.
Give us one phrase to explain Patrick Dorgu 👇 pic.twitter.com/mtXngAAMBN
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 25, 2026
Mikel Merino made it 2-2 and appeared to have rescued a degree for Arsenal, however Cunha had different concepts.
Cunha triggered Arsenal all types of issues when he got here on, the spotlight of which was his second of magic late on to clinch the win for United. He curled a elegant effort dwelling, nicely previous the attain of a stretching David Raya.
Matheus Cunha wins it for @ManUtd! And each managers know the way vital a aim it’s on the prime of the desk 😱 pic.twitter.com/UMQGEXFOr6
— Premier League (@premierleague) January 25, 2026
Earlier than the sport, Carrick had hailed Cunha’s response to being named on the bench in opposition to Manchester Metropolis. Cunha was thrust into the motion within the derby and assisted Dorgu’s aim.
In his post-match press conference after the win over Arsenal, Carrick lauded the Brazilian but once more, revealing that he was dissatisfied to not begin however used that as gasoline to assist the group.
Reacting to United’s large victory, Owen careworn that Cunha needs to be assured to begin within the upcoming assembly with Fulham.
Owen’s remarks
Owen mentioned [as quoted by the Metro], “Every part has bought to be good nevertheless it does sharpen your focus. Three photographs on the right track, three objectives. I don’t assume it’s a coincidence.”
“You don’t get many possibilities whenever you’re going to locations just like the Emirates. Arsenal didn’t defend horrifically in any respect. There have been two unbelievable objectives, clearly they may assume they may have prevented the primary aim, nevertheless it’s simply superb isn’t it? Generally you simply don’t know [with a new manager]. It’s simply that confidence or new perception that one thing will occur.”
Owen continued, “We quantify it however having confidence as a participant, having that perception once more, it turns you into Superman. It’s fairly unbelievable, you possibly can’t say how or why it comes, however as quickly as you begin feeling it once more and we’ve simply seen it: Manchester United have simply put in two unbelievable performances.”
“I really thought they performed higher in opposition to Manchester Metropolis final week however they had been so medical in the present day. Three half possibilities and all three of them went at the back of the web in opposition to a critical, critical facet.”
“I nonetheless assume Arsenal will go on and win the league however that’s an actual assertion from Manchester United.”
Watching again a replay of Cunha’s aim, Owen defined, “As quickly as he picked the ball up, first contact, I mentioned ‘aim’… he’s simply bought superb energy, accuracy, he is aware of easy methods to set himself. He’s calm in that state of affairs and he makes use of a person to bend the ball round.
“This is likely one of the most harmful gamers within the Premier League in this sort of space and I simply thought, ‘It is a large probability’, and bang, again of the web earlier than you possibly can blink.”
“I feel this lad is a critical participant. Sure, he’s a little bit of a maverick, he can in all probability frustrate at instances, however I feel he’s bought tempo, a beautiful contact, he can rating objectives I used to be shocked that he didn’t begin however saying that, after the efficiency in opposition to Manchester Metropolis, I can perceive why Michael Carrick didn’t change issues.”
“However he’ll begin subsequent sport, no query about it, as a result of it appears like Dorgu might need had a hamstring damage.”
Owen admitted to being shocked by Carrick’s choice to deliver on Benjamin Sesko, branding it a “dangerous transfer.”
Featured picture Justin Setterfield by way of Getty Photos
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