Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White was full of admiration — and disbelief — after facing Manchester United, admitting that his team had been caught completely off guard by the player who ended up tearing their defensive game plan to shreds.
In the days leading up to the clash, Nottingham Forest’s preparations were laser-focused on one man: Bryan Mbeumo.
Every tactical discussion, video session, and defensive drill revolved around stopping United’s creative forward. The message was simple neutralize Mbeumo, and you limit Manchester United’s attacking threat.
But football rarely follows the script, and this match proved that perfectly.
The player who ultimately wreaked havoc wasn’t Mbeumo, nor was it Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, or even Amad Diallo.
Instead, it was Matheus Cunha a name that barely came up in Forest’s pre-match meetings but ended up defining the game.
After the final whistle, a visibly impressed Gibbs-White couldn’t hide his astonishment.
“We focused so much on Mbeumo that we didn’t see this coming,” he admitted. “I haven’t faced a player that aggressive, that relentless, in a long time. He shocked all of us today.”
Cunha’s performance was nothing short of sensational. A player who had arrived at Old Trafford with critics questioning his consistency and finishing ability, he responded with a display that silenced every doubter. From the first minute, he played with purpose, intensity, and a fearless edge.
He pressed Nottingham Forest’s defenders into errors, chased down every loose ball, and refused to give them a single moment of rest.
Each time Forest tried to contain him — through tight marking, hard tackles, or physical duels Cunha responded with even more drive.
His hunger and work rate set the rhythm for Manchester United’s entire performance. He wasn’t just part of the system he was the system.
Gibbs-White summed up what many defenders across the Premier League have started to realize:
“I’ve faced plenty of great forwards in this league, but what I saw today was different. The aggression, the movement, the energy — he just didn’t stop. We couldn’t breathe out there.”
For Manchester United fans, this was more than just an outstanding individual showing it was a glimpse of something they’ve been missing for years.
A player who doesn’t just play with flair, but with ferocity. Someone who embodies the grit, pride, and relentless fighting spirit that defines the club’s legacy.
Cunha didn’t simply perform; he made a statement. From the first whistle to the last, he dominated the pitch, inspired his teammates, and showed exactly why he could be the cornerstone of United’s new era.
While Bryan Mbeumo has been drawing headlines lately and Bruno Fernandes remains the team’s leader, there was no question about whose night it was.
This was Matheus Cunha’s stage and he seized it with everything he had.
Through passion, power, and perseverance, Cunha sent a clear message that echoed far beyond the City Ground:
He’s not just another attacker in red he’s the new heartbeat of Manchester United.
