Matheus Nunes missed Manchester City’s defeats to Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt. The Portuguese international was struck down with a virus. Nunes returned to the City starting lineup yesterday in his familiar right-back position. Nunes put in a polished display against his former team as Manchester City beat Wolverhampton Wanderers 2-nil at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. The importance of Matheus Nunes to Manchester City’s play was clear to see throughout yesterday’s match.
Matheus Nunes quickly made his mark against Wolves yesterday.
It only took six minutes for Matheus Nunes to make an impact against his former employers at the Etihad Stadium yesterday. The Portuguese international put in a sublime cross from the right-hand side for Omar Marmoush to give Pep Guardiola’s side an early lead against Wolverhampton Wanderers. Marmoush’s goal was the perfect start for Pep Guardiola’s side, and it settled any nerves that may have existed after a bad week for Manchester City. Bernardo Silva deserves credit for finding Nunes in acres of space, as does Nunes for the quality of his cross that set City on their way yesterday.
It’s what he does 🪄
🩵 @omarmarmoush pic.twitter.com/5ZxvXSARnS
— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 24, 2026
What was apparent yesterday was how much more dangerous Manchester City are going forward with Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly providing width to their attacking play from the full-back positions. With Nunes out of the side, City don’t have another right-back who can offer an attacking, overlapping threat from that position. Rico Lewis drifts into midfield when he plays at right-back, so Nunes has a vital role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side. The threat that Nunes possesses was missed in Manchester City’s past two matches, as was his ability to get back defensively with his pace. Both aspects of Nunes’ game are critical to City’s play. The return of Matheus Nunes greatly helped Manchester City’s cause yesterday.
Matheus Nunes has now become an important player for Manchester City.
Across this season, Matheus Nunes has become an important player for Manchester City. He has firmly established himself as City’s first-choice right-back. The Portuguese international deserves immense credit for having done that. There was a time when Nunes was prone to making crucial mistakes. That time has now passed. Matheus Nunes is now a vitally important player for Pep Guardiola’s side. His importance to City’s play was on full display yesterday. His absence also stood out in City’s defeats to Manchester United and Bodø/Glimt.
Matheus Nunes put in a good performance in Manchester City’s win over Wolverhampton Wanderers yesterday. He set up Omar Marmoush’s goal, and his overall display at the Etihad just further illustrated how important Nunes is to Pep Guardiola’s side.