Guardiola Confident Nunes Can Excel as Elite Right-Back at Manchester City

Key Takeaways:

• Pep Guardiola has backed Matheus Nunes to become one of the finest right-backs in world football, following recent strong showings in defence
• Since his £53 million move from Wolves as a central midfielder, Nunes has predominantly featured at right back after being trialled in multiple positions
• Manchester City extended their unbeaten streak to nine matches by defeating Villarreal 2-0 in midweek and will visit Aston Villa on Sunday, aiming for their first away win there since 2021

Nunes’ Positional Evolution at City

Matheus Nunes joined Manchester City from Wolves for £53 million, initially brought in to bolster their midfield. However, after finding it difficult to make an impact in his original role over two-and-a-half seasons, City began to experiment with Nunes in defensive positions last season.

The Portugal international appeared at left back in a late defeat to Manchester United in December and was used as a winger during Manchester City’s 2-0 defeat at Anfield two weeks previously. The departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan led Pep Guardiola to deploy Nunes at right back for January’s victory over Brentford, a position he has largely occupied since.

Pep Guardiola on Matheus Nunes: “He can be an incredible right-back!

He’s a holding midfielder with incredible physicality going back. As much as he’s focused, he can become one of the best.

It’s a question of him now, we talk a lot about that. It’s just change your mindset… pic.twitter.com/59HZspBfzh

— City Report (@cityreport_) October 24, 2025

Guardiola’s High Praise for Nunes’ Potential

Pep Guardiola has expressed his belief that Matheus Nunes can thrive as a right-back for the remainder of his career. While discussing alternatives such as Rico Lewis, John Stones, and Abdukodir Khusanov for the same role, Guardiola singled out Nunes’ transition and potential on the flank.

‘Matheus can be an incredible right-back,’ Guardiola said. ‘Because he’s a holding midfielder with incredible physicality going back. If he’s focused, he can become one of the best.

‘It’s a question of him now, we talked a lot about that. It’s just about changing your mind and feel that you can feel that, because he has special attributes to play in the sides. In the last two or three games, he has played unbelievable.’

City’s Consistency and Upcoming Fixture

Manchester City, fresh off a 2-0 victory against Villarreal in midweek, are enjoying a nine-match unbeaten run. The squad will travel to Aston Villa on Sunday with hopes of registering their first win at Villa Park since 2021.

Guardiola remarked on his squad’s performance and mentality, stating: ‘We have good momentum but not the consistency for 90 minutes. We are starting to understand opponents and what we want to do, especially without the ball and to attack more fluently.

‘Our mentality and our body language is in the right spot and it will make us stable. (We need to) play better during 95 minutes, we play good but we need to play better.’