Matheus Nunes has said he expects to continue playing at right-back under Enzo Maresca ahead of Tuesday night's UEFA Champions League group-stage opener against Porto in Portugal.
Matheus Nunes enjoyed his best season at Manchester City under Enzo Maresca last term
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The 28-year-old joined Manchester City from Wolves in the summer of 2023 for £53 million, having established himself in the Premier League as a central midfielder with an imposing physical profile and an ability to carry the ball through congested areas at pace.
Pep Guardiola's decision to redeploy Nunes at right-back the following season raised eyebrows at the time, given how firmly the Portugal international had been associated with a central role throughout his career at Sporting Lisbon and Wolves.
In practice, the experiment worked and Nunes adapted with enough quality to become a reliable option in the position, earning regular minutes across the 2024-25 season and becoming one of the more flexible assets in the squad.
The question now is whether Maresca, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium this summer with his own ideas about shape and personnel, intends to continue using Nunes in the same way - or whether the 28-year-old's original position in midfield might attract the new manager's interest.
Enzo Maresca and his Manchester City squad travel to Portugal on Monday evening ahead of their opening contest of the league phase in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League against FC Porto.cityxtra.co.ukMan City Confirm 22-Man Travelling Squad to Face FC Porto in UEFA Champions League
Enzo Maresca and his Manchester City squad travel to Portugal on Monday evening ahead of their opening contest of the league phase in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League against FC Porto.
In interviews during the summer, Nunes acknowledged the uncertainty around his role as Manchester City transition into a new era under Maresca following a decade of unparalleled success under Guardiola.
City face Porto in the opening group phase fixture of their 2026/27 UEFA Champions League campaign on Tuesday, handing Maresca an early opportunity to assess his squad options in a different context to the Premier League, with rotation expected in Portugal ahead of this weekend's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
I Think I'll Mainly Be Playing Right-Back, Says Nunes on Role Under Maresca
Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday evening, Nunes said: "I think it will be the same, honestly. There will probably be moments where I can do other positions, but mainly I think I'll be playing right-back."
"It depends on what Mister (Maresca) wants from every game; he can change, I can play wide, midfielder with the ball, centre-back. It can be different, and it depends on what Mister wants from every game."
Manchester City travel to the Estádio do Dragão for the first time since the 2021 UEFA Champions League final defeat to Chelsea, as they debut away from home in the 2026/27 edition of the competition against FC Porto.cityxtra.co.ukPredicted Starting XI: FC Porto vs Man City (UEFA Champions League League Phase)
Manchester City travel to the Estádio do Dragão for the first time since the 2021 UEFA Champions League final defeat to Chelsea, as they debut away from home in the 2026/27 edition of the competition against FC Porto.
The willingness to occupy any of those positions reflects both the versatility Nunes has developed under two different managers at City and the premium Maresca places on players who can solve multiple tactical problems within the same squad.
City's right-back options remain a talking point heading into the season. Nunes filled the role for much of last season but the squad also contains Rayan Ait-Nouri on the opposite flank and Rico Lewis, who can operate there or in midfield depending on the system in use.
Whether Maresca settles on Nunes as his first choice in that position, or uses him across multiple roles as the fixture list evolves, the player himself has signalled he is prepared for either outcome.
What is next for Nunes and Man City?
The Porto fixture marks the beginning of what is a significant European campaign for the club, with Manchester City looking to improve on back-to-back knockouts at the hands of Real Madrid in Guardiola's final seasons at the Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on the fitness and availability of both Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Issues Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku Update Ahead of Man United Clash
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has issued an update on the fitness and availability of both Nico O'Reilly and Jeremy Doku ahead of Sunday's Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Nunes missed the opening two Premier League games of the season with a fitness issue and came through the 1-0 win over Coventry City at the weekend. His availability for Porto is a boost for Maresca as the squad heads into a demanding run of fixtures across all competitions.
After Tuesday's trip to Porto, City return to Premier League action against Manchester United - a fixture that will demand the full strength of the squad regardless of how Maresca chooses to rotate in Europe.