Sports
Manchester United: Michael Carrick has “magic” of Sir Alex Ferguson era says Matheus Cunha
Manchester United forward Matheus Cunha feels interim boss Michael Carrick has the “magic” that can reconnect the club to its trophy-laden Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Cunha scored the opening goal at Old Trafford that set United on their way to the 3-2 win over Liverpool that ensured Champions League qualification with three games to spare.
It is an achievement few felt United were capable of, even though football director Jason Wilcox said a return to Europe’s elite club competition was the aim in the wake of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January.
Carrick has engineered 10 victories in his 14 games in charge, putting him in pole position to be appointed on a full-time basis.
The 44-year-old was part of the final great United side under Ferguson, winning five Premier League titles and a Champions League.
Cunha feels the connection is crucial.
“I sat on the bench with him,” said Cunha.
“How he teaches everyone is amazing. He has the magic with these Ferguson times. Then he comes and brings it to us, teaches us how it was, to be part of everything. Then he did this.
“It’s amazing. He’s a pleasure. Of course, I think he deserves it.”
Carrick has already made it clear his squad cannot relax just because they have achieved their mission.
They still require four points to be certain of securing a top-three finish for only the fifth time since Ferguson retired in 2013. They could also finish fewer than 12 points behind the eventual champions, which is the closest they have got post-Ferguson, under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2020-21.
“It’s one of the biggest privileges I have to play at this club,” said Cunha.
“The Champions League without this club is not the same competition, and this club without Champions League is not same club.
“But it is not only the Champions League. We need to fight for the titles. This is the first one [step]. We could come much stronger for next season.”
It will be a summer of change at Old Trafford, not least because Cunha’s Brazilian international team-mate Casemiro is leaving. Or is he?
Casemiro has said he is and Carrick reinforced the point when he spoke to the media on Friday.
But Cunha knows the 34-year-old well. He is not so sure.
“It’s so easy to talk about him,” he said. “I know how important he is.
“He’s an amazing guy. There is a strong part of him outside the pitch. He’s so lovely and so friendly. He teaches me.
“We don’t know in the end how it is with his contract. Of course, everyone hopes there’s a little bit more. I know it’s harder than we talked about, but, in the end, you never know.”
Cunha has made the impact United hoped when they paid Wolves £62.5m last summer, when he was a priority target.
With such a huge personality, it was unlikely joining a club of that size would be too much for the 26-year-old.
His goal against Liverpool was his ninth of the season, including some key ones for Carrick, specifically the winners at Arsenal and Chelsea.
It has given Cunha time to show off his familiar surfing celebration, which reached a new level against Liverpool, when he raced away, pursued by team-mates, dived on the ground and then got up to ‘surf’.
“I’ve improved my celebration a little bit,” he said.
“Every time, my friends in Brazil every time say, ‘you cannot only surf, you have to paddle and stand up on the surfboard’. I said OK, I’ll try to improve.
“It’s part of my life; to bring this into football and show everyone how happy I am to play football and surf. I have to do it.”
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John Hunt reflects on the 120-mile journey and the efforts that have gone into supporting their mission.
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Sports
Laver Cup: US Open champion Alexander Zverev seals victory for Team Europe against Team World at London’s O2 | Tennis News
Team Europe regained the Laver Cup as newly-crowned US Open champion Alexander Zverev sealed victory against Learner Tien to complete a 13-5 success at The O2 in London on Sunday.
Zverev, who won the French Open and US Open titles this year, lived up to his ‘best player in the world’ tag to secure Laver Cup success give rival Carlos Alcaraz the day off.
The German clinched the trophy for Team Europe after defeating Tien in the second match of Sunday’s finale 7-6 (7-3) 6-3.
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Team Europe won the Laver Cup after Zverev defeated Tien
“I haven’t won a match here in two years, so I’m happy that I did it today,” said Zverev, who recorded his first Laver Cup singles victory since 2024.
“Massive credit to the entire Team World. They pushed us all the way again. They were champions last year. This year, we had a great team chemistry and I’m very happy that we won.”
Zverev had been talked up by Alcaraz after recent Grand Slam wins before this Ryder Cup-style event at The O2, but he lost in the doubles on Friday and let slip multiple match points against Alex De Minaur on Saturday.
Alcaraz wrestled back the initiative at the end of day two before Zverev teamed up with Casper Ruud to triumph in the doubles and leave Team Europe only two victories from glory ahead of Sunday’s session.
After initially falling a break behind, Cobolli and Mensik settled into their rhythm and took control, racing past Team World’s De Minaur and Taylor Fritz 7-5 6-3 to stretch Europe’s lead to 10-5.
Flavio Cobolli and Jakub Mensik moved the boys in blue a step closer by beating Fritz and De Minaur in the doubles, which opened the door for Zverev to bring a run of three defeats in four editions for Team Europe to an end.
Zverev struggled against rookie Tien, although did have the insurance policy of team-mate Alcaraz up next if required, but the two-time major winner secured victory to help Team Europe prevail in front of tournament co-founder Roger Federer, who was sitting alongside Hollywood A-lister Leonardo DiCaprio.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Alcaraz, who returned at the US Open after a lengthy lay-off due to a wrist injury, had been scheduled to face Australian De Minaur in a later singles match.
Rising 20-year-old Spaniard Rafael Jodar was due to play Fritz, but neither match was needed after Zverev wrapped up the contest.
“We had three chances to close it out in the singles,” Zverev added. “Especially with Carlos playing after me, I think that gives me a lot of confidence and gives me a little bit of freedom to play.
“But still, it was an incredibly tough match. Credit to Learner as well.
“I think Carlos is also very happy that I closed it out. And me too, by the way! I’m very happy that I won.”
Europe have now won six of the nine editions.
Czechs claim 12th Billie Jean King Cup crown
Czech Republic brushed aside Ukraine to win their 12th Billie Jean King Cup title in Shenzhen with Karolina Muchova and Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova delivering an unassailable 2-0 lead in the final.
Wimbledon runner-up Muchova swept past Anhelina Kalinina 6-2 6-3 in the opening singles rubber before Noskova toppled world No 7 Elina Svitolina 6-3 7-6 (7-5) to seal the title.
The Czechs are the second-most successful nation in the history of the premier international women’s team competition, behind the USA, who hold a record 18 titles.
Ukraine were seeking their first Billie Jean King Cup crown.
Stream tennis with no contract on NOW and the Sky Sports App. You can watch the you can watch the WTA 1000 China Open live on Sky Sports from Wednesday.
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Betfred Women’s Super League Grand Final
Wigan (6) 6
Try: Atherton Goal: Rowe
York (8) 8
Try: Peach Goals: Williamson 2
York Valkyrie became the first side to win the Women’s Super League three times after an incredible defensive effort thwarted Wigan Warriors at the Brick Community Stadium.
Under siege for much of a scoreless second half, York stood firm to claim a surprise win over the favourites.
Teenager Amelie Lenham led the way with a series of crucial interventions as a first-half try from Sinead Peach, plus two goals from Ellie Williamson, proved just enough.
Wigan – who had their only try-scorer Mia-Jayne Atherton and Eva Hunter sin-binned in the first half – were left stunned after an uncharacteristically error-strewn display.
More to follow.
Wigan: Banks; Davies, Wilson, M Jones, Derbyshire; Foubister, Rowe; Coleman, Wilton, Sams, E. Hunter, C Jones, Williams
Interchanges: Marsh, Atherton, Dainton, Salihi
York: Donovan; Kershaw, Woods, Leniham, Partington; Akwiwu, Williamson; A. Wood, Peach, Pakulis, O. Wood, Andrade, Parker
Interchanges: Bell, Bibby, Brennan, Henderson
Referee: Aaron Moore
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Hunt Family Fund Walk finish line in sight
Laver Cup: US Open champion Alexander Zverev seals victory for Team Europe against Team World at London’s O2 | Tennis News
Women’s Super League Grand Final: Wigan 6-8 York Valkyrie
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