Nottingham forest captain Gibbs white reveals the one Man United player that really surprised Him today
Nottingham Forest captain Morgan Gibbs-White was left in awe after his team’s encounter with Manchester United, admitting that they were completely unprepared for the player who ended up dismantling their defensive plans.
Heading into the match, Forest’s entire tactical setup revolved around containing Bryan Mbeumo. The squad spent hours analyzing his movements, his link-up play, and his ability to influence games. The objective seemed straightforward: stop Mbeumo, and you stop Manchester United.
However, football has a way of rewriting the script — and today, it did so emphatically.
The player who tore Forest apart wasn’t Mbeumo, nor was it Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, or Marcus Rashford. It was someone they had barely discussed in their pre-match briefings — Matheus Cunha.
Speaking candidly after the final whistle, Gibbs-White could only admit the truth.
> “We focused so much on Mbeumo that we didn’t see this coming. I haven’t faced a player that aggressive and relentless in a long time. He shocked all of us today.”
Cunha, a player who arrived at Old Trafford under scrutiny for his inconsistency and finishing, delivered a performance that silenced every critic in the stands. He played with an intensity that bordered on ferocious — pressing defenders into mistakes, chasing every ball as if it were his last, and refusing to give Forest’s backline a moment of calm.
Every time they tried to stop him — through fouls, pushes, or sheer physicality — he returned with greater determination. His hunger and energy set the tempo for the entire United team, turning the match into a statement of intent.
Gibbs-White summed it up perfectly:
> “I’ve faced a lot of quality forwards in this league, but what I saw today was something else entirely. The aggression, the movement, the drive — he never let us breathe.”
For Manchester United fans, this was more than just a standout performance; it was the arrival of the kind of player they’ve long been yearning for — one who leads not only with skill but with sheer willpower. A player who embodies the fight, the spirit, and the pride that the badge demands.
Cunha didn’t simply play football today — he made a declaration. From the first whistle to the last, he owned the pitch, commanded the game, and ignited his teammates through example.
While Mbeumo has recently dominated the headlines, Amad Diallo remains a fan favourite, and Bruno Fernandes wears the captain’s armband, there was no mistaking whose day it truly was.
Today belonged to Matheus Cunha.
With a performance fueled by passion and grit, he sent a message that echoed beyond the City Ground:
He’s not just here to play. He’s here to dominate.
