Michael Carrick has a "magic" influence similar to Manchester United great Alex Ferguson, so says Matheus Cunha, ahead of Saturday's trip to Sunderland.

United made it three straight Premier League wins and secured Champions League football for next season last time out with a dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool.

Kobbie Mainoo, fresh from signing a new five-year deal, delivered the decisive late goal in front of Old Trafford's Stretford End after Liverpool had fought back from two goals down.

Cunha, who scored the opener against Arne Slot's side, was quick to praise Carrick amid speculation about his chances of landing the role permanently.

"I don’t think it’s in my hands. But what he did, he’s full of confidence in the group and, look, I sat on the bench with him, but how he teaches everyone is amazing." Cunha said of Carrick.

"I think he has the magic, like with these Ferguson times, these kinds of things. Then he comes and brings that to us, he teaches us how it was.

"And, yeah, to be part of everything that he did is a pleasure, and then, of course, I think he deserves it [the permanent job]."

The former United midfielder has steadied the ship and then exceeded expectations after his return for a second caretaker role in mid-January.

In fact, Carrick has won more points in his 14 games (32) than Ruben Amorim managed in his 20 matches this Premier League season (31).

United's 32 points are also more than any other side has tallied since Carrick's first league match in charge on January 17.

Meanwhile, Sunderland sit in 12th on 47 points, five points behind sixth-placed Bournemouth in the battle for European qualification.

However, Regis Le Bris' side have stumbled in recent weeks, going three top-flight outings without a win.

They battled for a 1-1 draw away to relegated Wolves in their last league encounter, despite having Dan Ballard sent off just 24 minutes into the clash for violent conduct.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Sunderland – Granit Xhaka

With three goals and two assists, Sunderland captain Xhaka has been involved in more Premier League goals against United than any other opponent (five).

All three of his goals against them have come from outside the box, with no player netting more from distance against the Red Devils. 

Manchester United – Benjamin Sesko

Having scored a contentious goal against Liverpool that appeared to be a handball, Sesko will not care as his fine run of form continued.

Among players to feature in at least 500+ minutes under a United manager in the Premier League, Sesko has the best minutes per goal ratio under Carrick.

Has found the net seven times in 595 minutes (one every 85 minutes).

MATCH PREDICTION – MANCHESTER UNITED WIN

It is hard to look past an away win here, based on Sunderland's record against both Manchester United and supposedly superior teams.

Indeed, Sunderland have won just three of their 33 Premier League games against Man Utd (D6 L24), with their 24 defeats against the Red Devils their most against any opponent in the competition.

United have lost just one of their 15 visits to the Stadium of Light in this competition (W10 D4), falling to a 2-1 defeat in February 2016.

And, Sunderland have not won any of their last 28 top-flight matches against sides starting the day in the top four of the table (D9 L19).

That run dates all the way back to a 2-1 victory away at Chelsea in April 2014 under Gus Poyet, and some doubters of Le Bris may suggest his team have been somewhat fortunate this campaign as well.

Only Aston Villa (14.3) have overperformed their expected points more than Sunderland in the Premier League this season (10.2), who have 47 points and an expected points total of 36.8.

Expect goals from United, too. They have scored in their last 23 league games; their only longer scoring run in the competition was 36 matches between December 2007 and November 2008.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Sunderland win – 26.6%
Draw – 23.7%
Manchester United win – 49.7%