Since Michael Carrick took over as Manchester United manager from Ruben Amorim (via Darren Fletcher), many players' performance levels have shot right up. It's not possible to win four straight games, particularly considering what came before that, without a huge spike in productivity level. 

There are a number of players you could mention. Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire have been solid at the back, whilst Kobbie Mainoo has screened them very well. Back in his favoured number ten role, Bruno Fernandes has been back to his very best and registered his 200th goal contribution for the club yesterday. 

It has not just been them, of course. Brazilian pair Casemiro and Matheus Cunha have been sublime of late. The former has been rolling back the years with his recent performances and managed to both score and assist in the win over Fulham. 

Meanwhile, the latter scored a sublime winner from long range against Arsenal at the Emirates, before scoring a well-struck shot from inside the box in the aforementioned victory against Fulham.

Well, it turns out it is not just the Old Trafford faithful who are impressed by Casemiro and Cunha. Brazil national team manager, Carlo Ancelotti, has revealed that the United duo are two of eleven Selecao players who are guaranteed their spot at the World Cup finals this summer. 

They are joined by: Alisson, Marquinhos, Gabriel, Bruno Guimaraes, Vinicius, Estevao, Raphinha, Rodrygo, and Gabriel Martinelli. Some very strong names in there, so it is some praise from Ancelotti. 

Before the Italian took over the Brazilian national team in June of last year, Casemiro had not been called up since October of 2023. However, the 33-year-old has been in every squad since he took over, starting all seven games he has played, and scoring with a cute finish in a friendly over Senegal last November. 

It was suggested at the time that the United man would be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the Ancelotti appointment, as they had worked together at Real Madrid in the 13/14 and 21/22 seasons, winning the Champions League in both seasons, as well as a La Liga title in the latter campaign. 

As for Cunha, he missed one international break under the 66-year old, due to injury, but has been in all of the other three. In the six games he has been available for, the United number ten has started four times, and come on in the other two games. 

We can probably assume Casemiro will be a starter this summer. It will be harder for Cunha, with the competition for places, but that number ten role may well be his. Let's see. 

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