Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk reveals the one Manchester United star the entire Liverpool dressing room has been talking about recently
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk has been left stunned after Manchester United’s thrilling 2–1 victory at Anfield, admitting that one player’s performance completely overwhelmed both him and his teammates. The Dutch defender confessed after the match that a certain United star was so dominant it left the entire Liverpool squad “in disbelief.”
Speaking to reporters in the aftermath of the game, van Dijk said, “Even now, I still can’t understand how he played like that. He treated it like a final — he was everywhere, and at one point, I thought he was going to give me a heart attack.”
Surprisingly, van Dijk wasn’t referring to Bruno Fernandes or Marcus Rashford, but to Matheus Cunha — the Brazilian forward who terrorized Liverpool’s defense all night with his strength, energy, and fearless attitude. His physical presence and relentless pressing made it nearly impossible for Liverpool to play out from the back, leaving even Ibrahima Konaté struggling to contain him.
“At one point, Konaté didn’t even want to go near him,” van Dijk revealed. “He was that sharp, that confident, that powerful. You could tell he had no fear.”
From the first whistle, Cunha’s energy set the tone for United. He dropped deep to collect the ball, turned under pressure, and launched rapid counters that caught Liverpool off guard. What impressed many wasn’t just his attacking brilliance, but his work rate — Cunha chased every ball, pressed constantly, and never seemed to tire.
Van Dijk admitted that Cunha’s combination of speed, power, and composure was unlike anything he had faced this season. “You play against fast players, strong players — but this one had everything. He kept us under pressure for 90 minutes. It was exhausting.”
Reports later revealed that Cunha’s name dominated discussions inside the Liverpool dressing room. Players like Alisson Becker and Dominik Szoboszlai were said to be in awe of how completely he disrupted their defensive rhythm. One insider claimed, “Van Dijk and the others kept talking about him. They said he played like his life depended on it.” Another player even joked, “It felt like we were playing against Matheus Cunha FC.”
Much of the credit for Cunha’s form has gone to Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim. The Portuguese tactician used Cunha in a roaming attacking role, allowing him to exploit spaces between Liverpool’s midfield and defense. The plan worked perfectly, with Rio Ferdinand later describing Amorim’s setup as “fearless and brilliant.”
Amorim’s trust in Cunha has transformed the Brazilian into one of United’s most dangerous weapons. His intelligence and raw power have made him a nightmare for defenders and a key figure in United’s resurgence.
Despite the loss, van Dijk showed class by acknowledging Cunha’s brilliance. “As a defender, you respect players who push you to your limits. He was incredible. We just couldn’t stop him,” he said. “We prepared for their usual threats, but he surprised us. Full credit to him.”
Fans on social media echoed those sentiments, with one Manchester United supporter writing, “Van Dijk saying Cunha gave him a heart attack — that’s the ultimate compliment.” Another fan added, “He bullied one of the best defenders in the world. That’s how you make a statement.” Even Liverpool fans admitted Cunha’s performance deserved respect.
Cunha’s rise has been remarkable. After a quiet start at Old Trafford, he’s now proving himself as one of the Premier League’s most complete forwards — powerful, intelligent, and relentless. Comparisons to legends like Didier Drogba and Diego Costa have already started to surface, and United fans believe Amorim has finally found his ideal striker.
Van Dijk’s words sum it up best: in a match Liverpool were expected to control, it was Cunha who stole the spotlight. His intensity, strength, and willpower turned the tide — and left even one of the world’s best defenders admitting defeat.
