Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has admitted that he and his teammates were completely stunned by one Manchester United player’s incredible performance during their 2–1 defeat at Anfield.
Despite Liverpool’s usual dominance at home, van Dijk confessed that a particular United star’s display left the entire squad “in disbelief,” describing the experience as one of the most difficult games he has played this season.
Speaking emotionally after the match, the Dutch defender said, “Even now, I still can’t understand how he performed like that.
It was as if he was playing in a cup final. He was everywhere, and honestly, at one point, I thought he might give me a heart attack.”
Surprisingly, van Dijk wasn’t referring to Bruno Fernandes or Marcus Rashford, the usual stars of the show, but to Matheus Cunha — the Brazilian forward who delivered a stunning all-round performance that left Liverpool’s defense completely rattled.
Cunha’s mix of strength, speed, and relentless energy made him almost unplayable on the night. He pressed aggressively, held up the ball with composure, and consistently forced mistakes from Liverpool’s backline.
Van Dijk admitted that Cunha’s impact was so great that even Ibrahima Konaté — known for his physical strength — struggled to cope. “At one point, Konaté didn’t even want to go near him,” van Dijk revealed.
“He was that powerful, that sharp, and that confident. You could tell he was playing without fear.”
From the opening whistle, Cunha’s intensity set the tone for Manchester United’s performance. He dropped deep to link up play, turned effortlessly under pressure, and launched quick counterattacks that caught Liverpool off guard.
What made his display remarkable wasn’t just his attacking threat, but his sheer work rate — he chased every loose ball, pressed defenders constantly, and never appeared to tire.
Van Dijk further praised Cunha’s combination of attributes, saying, “You face quick players and strong players every week, but he had it all speed, strength, control, and determination. He kept us under pressure from start to finish. It was exhausting.”
Reports later revealed that Cunha’s name dominated the post-match discussions in the Liverpool dressing room.
Several players, including Alisson Becker and Dominik Szoboszlai, reportedly expressed admiration for how completely he disrupted their structure.
One insider told journalists, “They couldn’t stop talking about him. It was as if the whole match revolved around Cunha.” Another player even joked that it felt like they were playing against “Matheus Cunha FC.”
Much of the credit for the Brazilian’s rise has gone to Manchester United manager Rúben Amorim, whose tactical plan gave Cunha the freedom to roam between the midfield and attack.
Amorim encouraged him to use his body and intelligence to dominate physically, and the result was a masterclass in power football.
Former United defender Rio Ferdinand described the tactic as “fearless and brilliant,” saying it brought out the best in Cunha.
Under Amorim’s guidance, Cunha has developed into one of United’s most dangerous players — a complete forward capable of blending strength, creativity, and tireless pressing.
Once criticized for inconsistency, he now looks like a striker built for the Premier League’s intensity.
Despite the painful loss, van Dijk was gracious in his assessment, admitting, “As a defender, you respect players who push you to your limits — and he did exactly that. We couldn’t stop him. He surprised us with his energy and confidence. Full credit to him.”
Fans across social media echoed those sentiments, hailing Cunha’s performance as one of the best individual displays by a United player at Anfield in years.
One fan wrote, “If van Dijk says Cunha gave him a heart attack, that’s the highest praise possible.” Even Liverpool supporters conceded that the Brazilian deserved respect for his dominant showing.
Cunha’s rise has been remarkable. After a slow start at Old Trafford, he has evolved into a powerhouse forward compared by some to legends like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa.
For United fans, he symbolizes a new era under Amorim — one defined by strength, intelligence, and fearlessness.
As van Dijk admitted, in a game Liverpool were expected to control, it was Matheus Cunha who stole the spotlight turning Anfield into his stage and leaving even one of the world’s best defenders humbled by his brilliance.
