Matheus Nunes was notably absent from the highly anticipated Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford. His absence added to the challenges faced by Manchester City as they attempted to secure a vital Premier League victory.
Matheus Nunes’ Impact on the Team
Nunes had been a consistent presence for Manchester City, starting in all of the last 16 Premier League matches prior to this weekend. His last appearance from the bench was during a match against Arsenal in September.
In the previous week, Nunes played over an hour in City’s Carabao Cup victory against Newcastle, establishing himself as a key player under Pep Guardiola’s management. Guardiola has praised Nunes, acknowledging his potential to become one of the top right-backs in the league.
Absences Affecting Manchester City
Nunes was ruled out due to illness, specifically flu symptoms that struck him on Friday, impacting his availability for the derby. Guardiola may provide further updates regarding Nunes following the match or during the upcoming trip to Norway for the Champions League.
Alongside Nunes, a total of nine Manchester City players were unavailable for selection due to various reasons:
- Mateo Kovacic – Injury
- Ruben Dias – Injury
- Josko Gvardiol – Injury
- Savinho – Injury
- Oscar Bobb – Injury
- John Stones – Injury
- Nico Gonzalez – Knock from previous matches
- Omar Marmoush – Competing in the Africa Cup of Nations
Rico Lewis stepped in to fill the void at right-back, joining teammates Abdukodir Khusanov, Max Alleyne, and Nathan Ake in the defensive lineup. The team’s struggle with injuries and absences highlights the challenges faced by Guardiola this season as they navigate the intense Premier League schedule.
