Pep Guardiola reveals one major problem that faces Matheus Nunes at Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed the one major problem that continues to face Matheus Nunes at the Etihad Stadium.

The Portugal international put in his first stellar performance since arriving at Manchester City in a big-money move from fellow Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer market of 2023.

Despite a number of notable moments and individual performance highlights in a Manchester City shirt, particularly in the club’s last outing against Wolves in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, Nunes has failed to make his mark across the course of 90 minutes.

However, Wednesday night’s win in the Champions League over Sparta Prague saw Nunes not only record two assists for his teammates, but also strike confidently from the penalty spot to round off the scoring and send City into the top-three in the league phase of the competition.

Speaking after a 5-0 win over Sparta Prague in Europe’s premier club competition, Pep Guardiola was full of praise for Matheus Nunes after a stellar performance from the Portuguese midfielder.

“Really good! When he scored the goal, how happy were all his teammates,” Guardiola told reporters.

“He’s incredibly beloved, honestly. He’s a lovely guy. He has specific qualities; if you can run in transition he’s as fast as Erling [Haaland]. He’s unbelievable when he runs 30 or 40 metres, nobody can stop him.

“He has special qualities that we don’t have, that’s why we need him. He can play in many, many roles. His generosity in backwards, defensively.”

Guardiola continued, “The only problem he has is just one; his manager maybe doesn’t give him the minutes that he deserves!

“But he’s a nice guy, and when he’s ready, always he can help us in the circumstances that we have now with 15 players plus keepers available. Of course, it’s important to have him!”

With Manchester City’s injury list mounting as games continue to come thick and fast following the second international break of the season, Pep Guardiola will no doubt have to call on all of his options available in his squad.

As such, fans may see more of Matheus Nunes on the left of a front-three, with the Portugal international having operated in the role during certain games with Sporting CP and Wolves earlier in his career.

It remains unclear how long Jack Grealish and Jeremy Doku will certainly be ruled out for, however Pep Guardiola’s initial belief is that the former could be out for just over a week, with Doku a little ‘longer’.