Matheus Cunha compared Michael Carrick’s arrival to a dose of old‑school inspiration and credited the caretaker manager with sparking Manchester United’s recent recovery. Cunha opened the scoring in the derby and said: “When Michael [Carrick] came, he came with magic! Alex Ferguson vibes. He talks so much about his team, the conquering team. This feeling comes to us. We feel so happy with the information, we focus so hard to reach the objective.

“At the end of the day, this is just the start of the journey, it’s the beginning—a beautiful beginning!”

United were seventh when Carrick took the helm, narrowly beating out Ole Gunnar Solskjær in the race of former players to replace Ruben Amorim. Since that change the club have posted the best record in the league, a run that has included victories over Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool. That same group of players had earlier been dumped out of the Carabao Cup second round by fourth‑tier Grimsby Town.

There has been a tangible shift beyond nostalgia. Carrick has moved the team from Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 to a more direct 4-2-3-1 and has repositioned players to suit their strengths. Bruno Fernandes explained how Carrick identified the right half-space as a key area for the playmaker to exploit; it was from that zone that Fernandes started the move which led to Benjamin Šeško’s goal against Liverpool.

Few have benefited more than Kobbie Mainoo. The academy graduate, who had one foot out of the door by the end of Amorim’s tenure, signed a new lucrative deal and is now a nailed-on starter. Mainoo said of Carrick: “He’s played a huge part in it, all the confidence he gives all the players. You want to follow him and fight for him and die for him on the pitch.”

After 17 games Carrick’s record stands alongside Sir Alex Ferguson’s early benchmark: Carrick (start date Jan. 17, 2026) 12 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses, 33 goals for and 19 against; Ferguson (start date Nov. 8, 1986) 7 wins, 6 draws, 4 losses, 22 goals for and 15 against.

United’s hierarchy have made no decision on a permanent appointment. Andoni Iraola is being seriously considered and the interest in Luis Enrique has not been entirely closed off. Carrick declined to discuss his future: “Whatever is going to happen is going to happen,” he shrugged.

Sir Alex Ferguson was taken to hospital from Old Trafford on Sunday before Manchester United’s Premier League match against Liverpool. The former manager had been meeting guests at the stadium, including cardiologist Dr. Aseem Malhotra, who posted a photograph with Ferguson on social media.

Malhotra wrote on X: “A privilege, honour and dream come true to be invited to spend some quality time with Sir Alex Ferguson ahead of the game against Liverpool today at Old Trafford.” It is not clear how soon after that meeting Ferguson was transported to hospital; he did not attend the game.

Ferguson missed Manchester United’s chaotic 3–2 victory, a match decided by Kobbie Mainoo’s 77th-minute strike. Mainoo celebrated a recent contract extension after scoring the match-winner.

Manchester United have yet to issue a formal statement on Ferguson’s condition. The Athletic reported the club described the situation as “not a medical emergency.” BBC Sport echoed that line and said club officials are “optimistic” Ferguson will soon be “fit enough” to return home.

Ferguson is widely regarded as the greatest manager in Premier League history. He guided Manchester United to 13 Premier League titles during a 27-year tenure and led the club to two Champions League triumphs. The 1998–99 season produced a treble of Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League titles, a feat not repeated by an English club until Manchester City in 2023. Pep Guardiola and Manchester City currently hold six Premier League titles.

Some observers noted past health concerns. In 2018 Ferguson suffered a brain hemorrhage that required emergency surgery. He recalled that episode in his documentary Sir Alex Ferguson: Never Give In, and said, “All of my life I have appreciated the NHS, none more so with that experience, they were fantastic. And I owe it to them really.”

Manchester United confirmed their place in next season’s Champions League with a 3–2 victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday. The match was a study in contrasts: an electric opening for the hosts, a period of self-inflicted chaos, and a decisive final act.

Matheus Cunha profited from slack defending in the early exchanges, his shot sneaking past Freddie Woodman after a crucial Alexis Mac Allister deflection. Cunha’s goal was his ninth league strike of the season; it followed his previous match-winning effort at Chelsea where he scored the only goal. Earlier in the campaign Cunha also scored against Arsenal, Leeds United and Aston Villa.

United soon doubled their lead through Benjamin Šeško, who converted after Freddie Woodman fingertipped a Bruno Fernandes header onto the lurking Slovenian. The second goal underwent VAR review amid suggestions of a handball, but the Premier League Match Center said there was ”no conclusive evidence” to rule that Šeško had handled the ball. The decision left Liverpool feeling aggrieved and surprised observers in the stands.

Liverpool, already missing Mohamed Salah, were dealt another blow when Alexander Isak was ruled out with a groin injury sustained in training. With several forwards unavailable, Arne Slot reverted to a 4-2-4-esque setup featuring two false nines. The visitors took advantage of two United errors after the restart, enjoying a strong 15-minute spell and temporarily pinning the hosts back.

Kobbie Mainoo was outstanding in the first half, winning duels and driving United in transition. Despite an uneven second half in which United’s midfielders were often caught ahead of the ball, Mainoo produced a superb finish from the edge of the area to settle the contest and complete United’s first double over Liverpool in a decade.

Bryan Mbeumo, the Cameroonian who had been a key source of goals earlier in the season, was bright in this match as well. Overall, United earned the win in an open, entertaining game that underlined both their attacking strengths and moments of vulnerability.