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Carlo Ancelotti praised new Manchester United signing Matheus Cunha and Arsenal winger Gabriel Martinelli after recording his first victory as Brazil manager.

Brazil drew 0-0 with Ecuador in Ancelotti’s first game in charge but returned to winning ways on Wednesday with a 1-0 win over Paraguay.

Ancelotti was appointed as the new Brazil manager last month after leaving his role with Real Madrid.

His former Madrid player Vinicius Jr scored the only goal as Brazil beat Paraguay to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.

New Manchester United signing Cunha was instrumental in the build-up to Brazil’s winner and Ancelotti praised the playmaker who has made a £62.5m switch from Wolves to Old Trafford.

Ancelotti also hailed Cunha’s new United teammate Casemiro and Arsenal star Martinelli following Brazil’s victory.

‘The idea was to change the attack a bit,’ Ancelotti said. ‘Martinelli changed his position with Vinicius, and Cunha helped in ball possession in attack.

‘Cunha, Martinelli, Raphinha… the team worked in great harmony. The team played well, and that is why I am happy.

‘We have excellent wingers. We can play with three players in midfield. Today, Cunha was not a central striker; he was an attacking midfielder.

‘We benefited from the speed of Vinicius, Martinelli, and Raphinha to attack the wings, and Cunha played as a playmaker. It worked well.’

Ancelotti singled out Casemiro for praise when asked about his Brazil team keeping successive clean sheets.

Casemiro has endured a difficult spell at Manchester United but was recalled to the Brazil squad by his former Real Madrid manager Ancelotti.

The 33-year-old did enjoy a better second-half to the 2024-25 season but United are still believed to be ‘open’ to selling the Brazilian this summer.

‘I am Italian!’ Ancelotti said when asked about Brazil’s back-to-back clean sheets.

‘The team did not concede any goals thanks to their excellent defensive performance, and the midfield players made an extraordinary effort, like Casemiro. I am happy about that too.

‘Casemiro is a safety for the team. His quality and leadership are very strong.

‘He is a leader, like Danilo, Marquinhos, and Alisson… not only because of his quality but also because of his behaviour.

‘But I want to mention everyone. They all did a good job. Everything went well.’

Ancelotti is now planning to spend some time at the upcoming Club World Cup where he will monitor several Brazilian players.

‘I have a long list of players from all over the world, in Brazil, Europe, and Saudi Arabia, about 70 players,’ he said.

‘We will have time to evaluate each one of them. All seventy of them are qualified for the World Cup. There is no final list of 25 or 26 players.

‘It has been fifteen wonderful days in every sense. The Brazilian people welcomed me wonderfully.

‘The atmosphere within the Brazilian Football Confederation is fantastic, like a family. The players’ performance was amazing. We achieved victory, and we are very happy.’

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Thomas Partey has dropped a major hint on his Arsenal future amid speculation that Martin Zubimendi has been signed as his replacement.

The Ghana international joined the Gunners from Atleitco Madrid five years ago in a £50million transfer.

Partey has played a central role in the various incarnations of Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal over the course of his spell at the north London club.

The 31-year-old’s contract expired at the start of June and is currently a free agent able to speak to interested clubs.

Arsenal confirmed last week that they remained in talks with Partey and were hopeful of agreeing a short-term deal that would see him extend his stay at the Emirates Stadium.

Partey’s final decision could well be influenced by Arteta’s plan for him next season and with Zubimendi set to join, despite late interest from Real Madrid, it is uncertain whether or not Arsenal’s most experienced midfielder would settle for a reduced role.

The player, himself, however, insists what is best for him and his young family will play a decisive role in his eventual decision.

Asked if Zubimendi’s imminent arrival was playing on his mind, he told 3 Sports: ‘I think the first thing is where are you happy and wher do you feel at home. At the end of the day you’ve been in football, you’ve been in different teams.

‘Then it’s about what is your next objective what do you want to achieve next. You still have to look at all this and at the end of the day we all have a family that needs money, this is our mind.

‘We are not getting younger. There are a lot of things where you have to look now with a family, where you want them to be happy. When you go out nobody is going to destroy your family, these are things you have to look at. When you are young you just anywhere.

‘I’m an Arsenal fan, I can’t decide anything and just have to leave it to may agent and the club. Me, I just want to enjoy football.’

Partey enjoyed arguably his best season at Arsenal last season, apparently having overcome the consistent injury issues that had plagued him in previous years.

‘I think they will say about the availability because I was available throughout the whole season so of course they will say that,’ he added when asked if he felt he was in the best form of his career.

‘Every moment, every year or every time in training there I feel I’ve been in my best because I can’t count how many games I was not giving all my best.

‘Sometimes it may go bad but every game I go all out and try to give my best. I feel happy in me, every year injury or no injury which is part of it I have given my best.’

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