Matheus Nunes Shines As Manchester City7s Right-Back Revolution Continues

Manchester City’s Matheus Nunes is enjoying a season that’s rewriting his story at the Etihad Stadium. Just two and a half years after his £53 million move from Wolves, the Portuguese international has not only reached the 100-appearance milestone, but he’s also found himself at the heart of Pep Guardiola’s latest tactical evolution. Once hailed as one of the world’s best midfield prospects, Nunes now commands City’s right flank, transforming from a central midfielder into a full-fledged right-back—and what a journey it’s been!

Nunes, now 27, joined City in the summer of 2023, fresh off a Champions League clash in which his then-club Sporting Lisbon was outclassed by the Blues. The move was seen as a coup for City, who were eager to inject fresh energy and versatility into their midfield. But as the months rolled on, it became clear that Guardiola had different plans for the Portuguese star. With City’s defensive ranks in flux, especially after the departure of Kyle Walker to AC Milan, opportunity knocked in an unexpected way.

"It’s been amazing, it’s been a pleasure," Nunes told Sky Sports after his 100th appearance for the club, reflecting on his time in Manchester. "Just being very happy to play for this club, play for these fans, playing for all the staff, these amazing teammates that I have. Man City is an incredible club, and everyone that comes here just falls in love with the club. I’m no different and hopefully – I can continue up to 200 (appearances)." That sort of passion has been evident on the pitch, where Nunes’ adaptability has kept young Rico Lewis largely on the sidelines this season.

Guardiola, never one to shy away from bold tactical experiments, has repeatedly praised Nunes’ transformation. "Matheus can be an incredible right-back," the City boss declared on the eve of their upcoming clash with Aston Villa. "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."

And it’s not just talk. Since being thrust into the right-back role following Walker’s exit, Nunes has shown an uncanny ability to read the game from deep, break up opposition attacks, and surge forward with the kind of dynamism that Guardiola craves. His 29 appearances in all competitions this season are a testament to his importance, especially considering he missed recent losses to Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt due to the flu. City’s defense, at times makeshift, has leaned heavily on his reliability and tactical intelligence.

The reshuffling hasn’t stopped there. Nunes has been tested in nearly every position across the back line and midfield. In December, he was deployed at left-back during a tough defeat to Manchester United. Just two weeks later, he found himself operating as a winger in a 2-0 reverse at Anfield. But it was the shift to right-back—first seen in a January win over Brentford—that has stuck, and now looks set to define the next chapter of his career. With John Stones and Abdukodir Khusanov among the other options for the position, Nunes’ consistency has given Guardiola a welcome headache.

City’s ambitions remain sky-high. As of early February 2026, they’re battling on four fronts, hungry for more silverware. However, a recent draw against Tottenham—where City surrendered a lead late on—served as a reminder that even the best sides can stumble. Guardiola remains focused on the bigger picture, emphasizing the need for consistency and mental resilience. "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," he explained.

Off the pitch, City have been busy in the transfer market. The January window saw the arrivals of Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi, while Oscar Bobb departed for Fulham in a £27 million deal. Stefan Ortega Moreno, meanwhile, completed an initial free transfer to Nottingham Forest that could eventually be worth £500,000. There had been talk of City seeking a new right-back, but Nunes’ form has allayed those concerns for now. Club officials are reportedly satisfied with his performances, and the urgency to replace Walker has faded.

For Nunes, the future looks bright. His club form has put him in pole position to start for Portugal at this summer’s FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. That’s no small feat, given the depth of talent in the Portuguese ranks. But if his performances for City are any indication, he’s ready for the challenge on football’s biggest stage.

It’s easy to forget just how quickly things have changed for Nunes. When he first arrived at the Etihad, expectations were sky-high for his midfield playmaking. Yet, as Guardiola has shown time and again, positional labels mean little in his system. What matters is adaptability, intelligence, and the willingness to put the team first. Nunes has embraced that philosophy, and it’s paying off in spades.

As City prepare to face Aston Villa—a ground where they haven’t won since 2021—there’s a sense that Nunes’ story is only just beginning. The Blues are riding a nine-match unbeaten run, including a tidy 2-0 win over Villarreal in midweek. With the business end of the season approaching, every match feels like it could tip the balance in the title race. Can Nunes and his teammates summon the consistency Guardiola craves? Only time will tell, but the signs are promising.

So, as the City faithful look ahead to a crucial run of fixtures, they can take heart in the rise of a player who’s redefined his role and, perhaps, his legacy. Matheus Nunes may have arrived as a midfielder, but he’s fast becoming one of the Premier League’s most intriguing full-backs. And with Guardiola’s faith behind him, who’s to say how high he can soar in sky blue?

For now, the story is still being written. But one thing’s for sure—Nunes has made his mark, and Manchester City’s ambitions for the season remain very much alive.