Cunha scored the opening goal in Sunday's 3-2 win over Liverpool at Old Trafford — a deflected strike in the sixth minute that set Manchester United on their way to sealing Champions League qualification with three games to spare. It was his 14th goal involvement across all competitions under Carrick since the head coach's appointment in January.
Speaking after the match, Cunha was effusive about the impact Carrick has had.
"I sat on the bench with him. 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."
On the significance of returning to the Champions League, Cunha placed the achievement in the context of a club that had been without Europe's premier competition for two years.
"It's one of the biggest privileges I have to play at this club. The Champions League without this club is not the same competition, and this club without Champions League is not the same club. But it is not only the Champions League. We need to fight for the titles. This is the first step. We could come much stronger next season."
He also turned his attention to Casemiro, who at 34 is widely expected to leave United in the summer when his contract expires. Both Casemiro and Carrick have said the Brazilian will depart. Cunha was less certain.
"It's so easy to talk about him. 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."
United face Brighton and Hove Albion, Aston Villa and Manchester City in their remaining three fixtures, needing four more points to guarantee a top-three finish for the first time since Jose Mourinho's second season in 2017/18.