An understated component of this Manchester City side is fit and ready to go

An understated component of this Manchester City side is fit and ready to go Matheus Nunes has had a delayed start to the 2026-27 season for Manchester City. The Portuguese international suffered a minor ankle injury ahead of the FA Community Shield. Due to this injury, Nunes has only made one appearance off the bench so far this season in the first three games that City have played in the Premier League. Matheus Nunes played for half an hour against Bournemouth and he made a vital contribution to Manchester City’s 2-1 comeback win over the Cherries. Speaking earlier today Matheus Nunes revealed that he is now fully fit and that is great news for Manchester City. Matheus Nunes has declared that he is now fully fit. Manchester City’s first-choice right-back Matheus Nunes faced the media ahead of City’s opening Champions League league phase fixture against FC Porto. The Portuguese international revealed that he suffered a knock on his ankle ahead of the FA Community Shield fixture against Arsenal. This injury saw Nunes suffer a delayed start to the new season. However, Matheus Nunes is now fully fit. When asked about his fitness, Matheus Nunes said: “ I am good. I am 100% now. ” “ My injury was my ankle the day before Arsenal. I had a tackle and it was sore for a while but now I am fine. ” Manchester City need Matheus Nunes to slot in at right-back. Abdukodir Khusanov has slotted in on the right of Manchester City’s defence in the absence of Matheus Nunes. Khusanov has nominally played at right-back but he has been more utilised as the right-sided centre-back in a back three. Khusanov’s recovery pace is crucial to City’s play. However, the Uzbekistan international hasn’t been at his best so far this season. His positioning and overall defensive awareness has been slightly off. Due to this, you can see why City need Matheus Nunes back fully fit. Matheus Nunes has firmly established himself as Manchester City’s first-choice right-back. He has made the position his own and even though Enzo Maresca’s system is slightly different to Pep Guardiola’s, the importance of Matheus Nunes hasn’t changed. You do sense that with Nunes back fully fit he should strengthen the right-hand side of Manchester City’s defence. It would appear that Nunes is in contention to start against FC Porto tomorrow night and this should see that theory tested in Portugal. Matheus Nunes is now fully fit and over the knock on his ankle he sustained ahead of Manchester City’s FA Community Shield defeat to Arsenal. That news is a boost for Enzo Maresca’s side. It will now be interesting to see if the return of Nunes bolsters the right-hand side of City’s defence.