Manchester United may have fallen 1-0 to Arsenal at Old Trafford, but the performance of Matheus Cunha has left a lasting impression on fans and pundits alike. Among them is former United goalkeeper Ben Foster, who described the Brazilian forward as “absolutely brilliant” and “man of the match” despite the result.
United played with high intensity throughout, unsettling Arsenal with their pressing and forward runs. New signings Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo both made encouraging debuts, while Patrick Dorgu showed his athleticism at left-back and Mason Mount continued his fine form. But Foster singled out Cunha as the standout performer.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, the ex-England international was full of admiration for the 26-year-old:
“Cunha was just different level. He’s just positive, looks to go forward. Never looks for the simple option. He’ll always try to break ranks, exploit space, and get a shot off. He’ll annoy some players at some point because he’s happy to shoot from 40 yards! Absolutely brilliant. Man of the match.”
A fearless Old Trafford debut
Cunha’s performance combined relentless running, flair, and confidence on the ball. Every time he picked it up, Old Trafford buzzed with anticipation, with his driving forward runs and flashes of Brazilian trickery bringing supporters to their feet.
Although he didn’t find the back of the net, the former Wolves striker delivered the kind of all-action display that suggested he could become a talismanic figure for United. His fearless approach earned comparisons to Eric Cantona when he first signed, and his debut showed why such lofty expectations exist.
Only the beginning for Cunha
What makes his display even more exciting for United fans is that Cunha is still far from peak sharpness. He only started one pre-season game and is still building chemistry with his new teammates. Foster suggested that if this is Cunha’s “floor,” then his “ceiling” could make him one of the Premier League’s most devastating attackers.
Cunha himself has already embraced the pressure that comes with wearing United’s shirt. On his arrival, he insisted the spotlight motivates him rather than intimidates him, and his debut performance against Arsenal was the first sign of him backing up those words with action.
For Manchester United, the defeat may sting, but Cunha’s explosive start offers genuine hope that they have unearthed a forward capable of turning games on his own.
