“I’m happy with the goal, but did you see ths guy? 12 clearances, winning every header… he won us those three points. I’m just glad I could help at the end, but the Man of the Match is Him, 100%”, Matheus Cunha reveals the ‘Inside Truth’ of the United dressing room respect

The Unseen Architect: Inside the Dressing Room’s Unanimous Verdict on United’s True Hero

In the raucous, adrenaline-fueled sanctuary of a victorious dressing room, where goalscorers are traditionally lifted onto shoulders and the match ball is a coveted prize, a more profound and telling truth often emerges. It’s the truth spoken not by the headlines, but by the players who shared the pitch, who felt the pressure, and who know exactly where the battle was truly won. Following Manchester United’s monumental victory, match-winner Matheus Cunha has offered a stunning glimpse behind the curtain, redirecting the spotlight with a humility and clarity that reveals the team’s inner hierarchy and the identity of their true leader.

Cunha’s words were a masterclass in team-first recognition. **”I’m happy with the goal, but did you see this guy?”** he began, his opening phrase immediately downplaying his own decisive contribution in favor of awe for a teammate. The use of “this guy” is telling—it’s the familiar, respectful language of the dressing room, pointing to a figure who commands universal esteem. He then detailed the evidence with the precision of a fellow warrior: **”12 clearances, winning every header…”** These aren’t vague compliments; they are the hard metrics of defensive dominance, statistics that a forward like Cunha would have felt in the shrinking of the Arsenal attack and the growing platform it gave his own side.

His conclusion was a powerful attribution of credit. **”He won us those three points.”** In a single sentence, Cunha transferred the authorship of the victory from the scorer of the goal to the defender who built the fortress. He framed his own role not as the architect, but as the fortunate finisher: **”I’m just glad I could help at the end.”** This is the ultimate expression of a team ethos—the understanding that the glamorous final act is only possible because of the unglamorous, brutal work done elsewhere.

The Brazilian’s final declaration removed any lingering doubt, delivering the dressing room’s verdict as an absolute. **”The Man of the Match is Him, 100%.”** This “100%” is the sound of a closed case. It’s not a suggestion or an opinion; it is the unanimous, non-negotiable judgment of the squad. The official award might go elsewhere, but in the sanctum where respect is earned through sweat and impact, the identity of the true hero is incontestable.

The Identity of “This Guy”: The Varane Renaissance

While Cunha did not name him, the profile of a defender who made 12 clearances, dominated aerially, and is revered as a points-winning leader points unmistakably to one man: **Raphaël Varane.** The Frenchman’s performance was a throwback to his peak—a display of world-class anticipation, immaculate timing, and authoritative command. In a squad searching for leaders, Varane’s silent, colossal efficiency spoke volumes. Cunha’s praise confirms that his teammates see him not just as a defender, but as *the* foundational pillar.

The “Inside Truth”: A Culture Being Forged

Cunha’s revelation is significant because it exposes the emerging culture under Michael Carrick. It shows a dressing room where selflessness is prized, where hard work is recognized by peers above all else, and where respect is earned through actions that secure results, not just headlines. When your match-winning striker voluntarily anoints a centre-back as the true hero, it signals a healthy, unified squad with aligned values. This is the “inside truth” that matters more than any external narrative—a team that knows who its real leaders are.

A Message to INEOS and the World

Beyond the camaraderie, Cunha’s words serve as a powerful public memo. By so emphatically identifying the “100%” Man of the Match, he is indirectly endorsing Varane’s critical importance to the project. It amplifies Paul Scholes’s earlier demand for a new contract into a chorus. It tells the board, the fans, and the world: *This is our cornerstone. This is the man we rely on.*

In an era of individual accolades and personal branding, Matheus Cunha’s humble, insightful tribute is a refreshing testament to the enduring soul of team sport. He reminded everyone that while the glory often lands at the feet of the striker, the victory is frequently forged in the heart of the defence. The dressing room has spoken. Their Man of the Match isn’t the one who put the ball in the net; it’s the one who made sure it stayed out of their own.