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Pep Guardiola names the Man City player he thought was ‘really good’ despite defeat against Man United
When Manchester City were leading 1-0 against Manchester United, it seemed like they were set to return to winning ways with a routine victory.
However, Matheus Nunes’ initial underhit pass landed in Amad Diallo’s direction who was clean through on goal and in an attempt to rectify his mishap, he barged into the Ivorian inside the penalty area.
Manchester United were given a penalty, which Bruno Fernandes calmly tucked away in the 88th minute.
It seemed like Manchester City had completely lost their heads by that point, much like during their capitulation against Feyenoord in the Champions League as Diallo scored a last-gasp winner.
The momentum had swung in Ruben Amorim and Co’s favour, which all started from Nunes’ mishaps.
Instead of digging the former Wolves midfielder out, Pep Guardiola chose to praise the 26-year-old’s showing.
Pep Guardiola hails Matheus Nunes despite his error against Man United
The Catalan tactician could well have called the Portuguese international out, as his City side were largely in control before his appalling back pass.
But instead, Guardiola emphasised well Nunes played in a makeshift left-back role.
Pep Guardiola said via BeanymanSports: “In the box, be careful. It’s not about Matheus [Nunes], he played really good at full-back. But it’s not about that, we have to play better.”
“The result will help us to take our best but right now we don’t have it. The way I learn is to keep going.”
Nunes will likely appreciate Guardiola’s comments, considering he was at fault for Fernandes’ goal
Guardiola’s lack of trust in Nunes in Man City’s midfield was justified
This season, Pep Guardiola has chosen not to play Nunes in midfield in the Premier League and instead, tested him out as a winger and even at full-back.
Despite the versatile anchor having the engine and experience to play in the middle of the park, Guardiola has seemingly been hesitant to give him a chance.
In the Manchester Derby, the two-time treble-winner’s decision was proven right as Nunes has shown plenty of times that in possession, his game is far too erratic to play in midfield.
While Nunes put in a decent shift as a left-back, he did lose the ball a few times and crucially, when it most mattered.
The ex-Sporting CP dynamo’s decision-making has also left far too much to be desired in the past, as exemplified by his error against Ruben Amorim’s former side where he lost the ball and conceded a penalty, that was eventually scored by Viktor Gyokeres.
Nunes could well spend an extended period on the bench after his latest performance and if that does take place, it would be difficult to argue against it.