**Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes has admitted that he initially did not want to be a right-back when he was first played in the position.**
The 27-year-old caught the eye of Pep Guardiola and Txiki Begiristain – the club’s former sporting director – as a midfielder at Wolverhampton Wanderers and never played right-back for his preceding sides.
But in January 2025, Guardiola positioned Nunes in the role which ended in disaster as City fell to a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in a game where the Portugal international gave away a late penalty as part of the visitors’ turnaround at the Etihad Stadium.
However, his familiarity at right-back has forced progression, not least because Kyle Walker’s departure to Burnley during the last summer market granted Nunes a starting place on the right side of defence which has only heightened his talent and impact.
Now, in an interview with [Manchester City’s official club website](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r6X918KM7fM), Nunes said, “A difficult transition, especially because it wasn’t like I’ve done both positions, it was just suddenly changing.
“I had to go through a difficult period getting used to everything, because I feel everything is different. Feeling confident in the position, also wanting to be in that position – which in the beginning, I’m going to be honest, I didn’t want to be.
“But it’s a responsibility you have to take, and in the best way, knowing someone is putting trust in you for a good reason. It’s never for a bad reason! If you take it badly, you don’t perform well.
“After a while, I started to take it in a good way. Now I’m more than used to it, I feel it’s my position. I can play different positions; winger, midfielder, right-back. I can play anywhere – this just makes you more complete.”
His club-record sale from Wolves to Manchester City worth £53 million was initially seen as a signing that would bolster the Citizens’ midfield alongside other additions of Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Jeremy Doku.
But when he moved to right-back, it did not come as much surprise that it worked after seeing the progression of Rico Lewis shift from native defender to a holding midfielder and more advanced central roles – where he showed most improvement throughout the 2024/25 season.
Nunes, who has started 22 times in the Premier League this season – only missing the Manchester United clash nearly four weeks ago through illness – has made a positive impact at City so far and is likely to be a first-choice right-back for years to come.
Recently reaching his 100th appearance for the club against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League, Matheus Nunes has also contributed to winning a Premier League title while at the Etihad Stadium club.