Every manager has their favourite players, but Vitor Pereira is starting to show favouritism to a Wolves player despite poor performances.
It has been back-to-back defeats for the Old Gold in the Premier League, with Wolves losing to both Manchester City and Bournemouth.
After each defeat, Vitor Pereira publicly stated he needs more signings, but so far business has not been up to scratch at Molineux.
Not every issue is with the transfer market however, and Pereira is starting to give special treatment to a player who doesn’t necessarily deserve it based on his performances.
Bournemouth v Wolverhampton Wanderers - Premier League
Photo by Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Vitor Pereira is giving favourability to Marshall Munetsi
The decision to bench Andre against Bournemouth backfired, and his arrival as a second-half substitute proved it.
The Brazilian solidified the middle of the pitch, and even after the red card to Toti Gomes, the Molineux side looked much better. Speaking after the game, Pereira defended his decision saying, Andre ‘must deserve to play.’
However, the manager seems to solely be applying this logic to the former Fluminense player, as Marshall Munetsi has been far from deserving to start, yet has done so in both games this season.
VP on Andre omission:
For me a leader in football, positions are not a gift
I like Andre a lot, but I must push him to be better and increase his level
In my opinion in training and in the games, Bellegarde has been in better condition
He must deserve to play #wwfc pic.twitter.com/NxAqpxADLN
— Nathan Judah (@NathanJudah) August 23, 2025
View Tweet
MORE WOLVES STORIES
Vitor Pereira’s message is a good one. Each player must deserve to play, but the message falls flat when performances like Munetsi’s seem to be consistently rewarded, while others are punished.
There is a little bit of sympathy for the 29-year-old, who is playing in an unfavoured role, having been transformed into an attacking player. Before signing for Vitor Pereira at Wolves, he predominantly played in midfield.
However, that doesn’t mean he is immune from criticism.
The Zimbabwean was practically anonymous against the Cherries, and it was the same against Manchester City.
He has been sloppy in possession, non-dominant in his duels, and has struggled to have an impact on games. It is odd from Pereira to trust Munetsi after such displays, when a creative outlet like Fer Lopez is on the bench.
“When I get the ball, I try to be as vertical as possible.”
Fer's first interview ⤵️
— Wolves (@Wolves) June 21, 2025
View Tweet
Marshall Munetsi stats vs Bournemouth
Marshall Munetsi’s data against Andoni Iraola’s side proves how little of an impact he had.
The player had the least amount of touches (27) of any player to play 90 minutes, and he actually had less touches than Toti Gomes (29) who had been sent off with 49 minutes played.
Stat Total
Minutes played 90
Passing (Accuracy %) 10/18 (56%)
Duels won (%) 6/11 (54%)
Touches 27
Marshall Munetsi’s stats vs Bournemouth via FOTMOB
Additionally, it is the same stat that he had against Manchester City. At Molineux on opening day, he also had the least amount of touches of those who played 90 minutes.
If Vitor Pereira wants to actually build a culture based on putting on good performances and proving your qualities, then Marshall Munetsi needs to be shown the same treatment he showed Andre.
It simply hasn’t been good enough.