Nottingham Forest’s goalkeeper, Mats Sels, was full of admiration after the recent clash with Manchester United, openly admitting that he’d never faced a player quite like Matheus Cunha. In his interview with Sky Sports, Sels confessed that despite going up against big names like Saka, Salah, Palmer, and Haaland this season, Cunha’s unique mix of intelligence, pace, and creativity completely caught him off guard. Known for his calmness under pressure, Sels admitted that even he wasn’t prepared for the Brazilian’s flair and unpredictability, describing Cunha as a rare breed of attacker who’s hard to read and even harder to stop.
Cunha’s performance that night was nothing short of electric. From the opening whistle, he dominated the pitch — gliding past defenders, linking up effortlessly with Amad Diallo and Casemiro, and constantly keeping Nottingham Forest’s backline on edge. His dazzling solo run in the 56th minute nearly produced a goal, forcing a world-class save from Sels himself, who later applauded the effort. Then came a perfectly timed through-ball that set up United’s equalizer, a moment that had pundits raving and fans chanting his name across Old Trafford.
After the match, Sels couldn’t stop praising Cunha’s performance. “When he’s on the ball, you feel danger instantly,” he said. “He’s got power, speed, and technique all rolled into one. You can’t switch off for even a moment.” According to the goalkeeper, Forest’s defenders were already in awe of Cunha by halftime, admitting amongst themselves that he was simply on another level that night. The respect between both players was mutual — after the final whistle, Sels went straight to Cunha to exchange shirts, a moment that quickly went viral for its show of sportsmanship.
Cunha’s steady rise under Ruben Amorim has been a quiet success story at Manchester United. While much of the spotlight has shone on Amad Diallo and Benjamin Šeško, it’s Cunha’s consistency and determination that have often made the difference. Amorim himself couldn’t hide his pride, saying, “Matheus is a warrior. He’s improving every game and giving everything for the badge.” Fans echoed that sentiment on social media, calling Cunha “underrated,” “unplayable,” and the “unsung hero” of United’s campaign — finally a forward who can terrify defenders for ninety straight minutes.
Football pundits were quick to join the chorus of praise. Jamie Carragher highlighted Cunha’s growing adaptation to the Premier League’s physical demands and chemistry with teammates, noting how seamlessly he’s fitting into Amorim’s system. United legend Rio Ferdinand went further, saying, “When opponents speak about you with that kind of respect, you know you’re making an impact.” Cunha, he added, is evolving into the kind of player who doesn’t just play the game — he changes it.
For Manchester United, Cunha’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a more crucial moment. As Amorim pushes to keep the team in title contention, performances like this inject much-needed confidence and belief. His link-up play with the squad is sharpening, his presence growing stronger with each match. When even your opponents sing your praises, you know you’ve left a mark. Mats Sels’ honest admiration didn’t just spotlight Cunha’s brilliance — it reminded everyone that United might finally have found the spark they’ve been missing for years.
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