Matheus Nunes
Manchester City has seemingly solidified Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly as their first-choice full-backs, a development that seemed improbable just a few months ago. This shift in the team’s lineup has been pivotal, especially considering the challenges faced earlier in the season. Initially, both players were on the bench during City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham in August, with Nunes trailing behind Rico Lewis in the selection hierarchy. However, injuries to key players like Abdukodir Khusanov and Ait-Nouri opened the door for Nunes and O’Reilly to make their mark.
Tyrone Marshall said: “O’Reilly has to be first choice as things stand. Him and Nunes give a bit of what Pep Guardiola wants with full backs. When they won the Treble he often played four centre backs across the defence for physicality, previously Pep has played midfielders in full back roles and O’Reilly and Nunes give a bit of both. It looks like Nunes is the man in possession, he is starting to influence games going forward with that great cross for Haaland. For a full back he is big and strong and he rag-dolled (Florian) Wirtz last weekend.”
Tyrone Marshall continued: “It feels like Guardiola has gone cold on Lewis as a right back. Khusanov – is he a centre back long term or will he do both? John Stones has done both. Right back feels the obvious area to upgrade and they were in the market for one last summer. If you kept Nunes and Khusanov as options, maybe you would want another player but maybe someone who is a bit younger and who can learn and challenge. With O’Reilly he is maybe still thinking he can be a midfielder at City at some point. Maybe at some point he is Bernardo’s replacement. He is young enough to think he could still get a chance in midfield but mature enough to know that right now he can be be happy playing at left back.”
The emergence of Nunes and O’Reilly has been one of the standout stories of Manchester City’s season. O’Reilly, in particular, has not only secured his place in the team but also made his debut for England as a left-back. Meanwhile, Nunes is making a strong case for inclusion in Portugal’s World Cup squad as a right-back. Their performances have provided Pep Guardiola with the versatility he desires in his full-backs, combining physicality with the ability to contribute to the attack.
This newfound stability in the full-back positions has been instrumental in City’s ongoing title challenge. The dynamic duo has not only filled the void left by injuries but has also added a new dimension to City’s play, showcasing their ability to adapt and excel in their roles. As the season progresses, their continued development will be crucial for City, especially if they aim to maintain their competitive edge in both domestic and international competitions.
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