From Midfielder to Makeshift Defender: Nunes Finds His Niche

Matheus Nunes has accepted his fate as Manchester City's go-to problem solver, even if it means playing out of position.

The Portuguese midfielder has spent 18 months learning different roles under Pep Guardiola. He's operated at right-back, right-wing, holding midfielder and his natural attacking position. Not all performances have been flawless of course - Nunes remains prone to lapses that can prove expensive. None more so than in the home derby last season.

Still, his willingness to adapt has kept him in Guardiola's plans. Thursday's 5-2 win over Juventus saw him deployed at right-back again, where he put in a solid shift despite limited experience in the position.

Nunes doesn't mind where he plays. "The manager puts me somewhere, I do my best," he said. "Other players have switched positions too. Doesn't matter to me - I just try to help the team."

He seemed pleased with his latest outing. "I think I did well on Thursday," he added.

City's squad looks different for this American tour. Four new signings have joined the group - Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, Marcus Betinelli and Rayan Cherki. Several coaching changes have also been made.

But Nunes reckons the fundamentals haven't changed. The experienced players who delivered years of success are still setting the tone.

"The base is the same," he explained. "Some have been here 10 years. Everyone knows the training, how we press, how we attack. Different games need different approaches, but we're used to it now. We've been together long enough."

That familiarity has helped Nunes settle into his various roles. His natural ability got him noticed at Sporting and Wolves, but his adaptability has kept him relevant at City.

The 26-year-old's occasional errors remain a concern. When they happen, they tend to be glaring - the kind that stick in memory and raise questions about his concentration. But Guardiola clearly values what he brings to the squad.

His performance against Juventus showed both sides of his game. Defensively sound for most of the match, he also offered City an attacking outlet from deep. It's exactly what Guardiola wants from his full-backs.

For City, having players like Nunes makes squad rotation easier. Injuries and suspensions are inevitable during a long season. Having someone willing to plug gaps without complaint is valuable, even if the execution isn't always perfect.

Nunes has carved out a niche as City's utility option. It might not be glamorous, but it's kept him in the team. His willingness to learn different positions has extended his career at the top level.

Whether he can iron out those costly mistakes remains to be seen. But his attitude suggests he'll keep trying to improve, wherever Guardiola decides to use him next.