Pep Guardiola takes leaf out of Mikel Arteta's book with comments about 'problem' he's caused

Manchester City manager has blamed himself for ' lack of minutes this season.

Nunes, a £53m signing from in 2023, featured in just half of City's league games in his first year at the club. He has been used sparingly this term too, not yet starting in the league despite , but it has been a different story in Europe.

After starting at the start of October, the Portugal international got another 90-minute run-out on Wednesday against Sparta Prague. He took full advantage, too, .

Guardiola might have used his signing sparingly, but insisted Nunes isn't to blame. And his comments echoed those made by counterpart about Gabriel Martinelli before the Brazilian forced his way into the starting XI.

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“[He was] really good - when he scored a goal, you can see how happy his team-mates are, Guardiola said after the midweek win. "He is incredibly beloved and he is a lovely guy.

“He has a specific quality. In transitions, he is as fast as Erling [Haaland]. When he runs for 30-40 metres, no one can stop him. He has a special quality that we don’t have. That’s why we need him and he can play in many roles.

“The only problem he has is one, his manager doesn’t give him the minutes he deserves. He’s ready always and he can help us. With the circumstances we have now, with 15 players plus goalkeepers available, it’s important to have him.”

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Guardiola's comments are reminiscent of . Back then, Martinelli had endured a run of games as an unused sub or late introduction after recovering from a knee injury, but is now an important player at the Emirates Stadium.

"If anything it's my fault," Arteta said at the time. "He has done everything perfect, he trains incredibly well every day, his attitude cannot be any better.

"He is disappointed he is not playing more, obviously, and I have spoken to him, but he needs to be a little bit patient. He had some minutes, he had some games as well and it's true the competition for the front positions is very tough but he needs to be patient and he will get his chance."

Martinelli was rewarded for that patience, racking up 100 league outings across the last three league campaigns. Nunes might have a little longer to wait before he can post those kinds of numbers, but will surely be targeting Saturday's visit of Southampton for a first league start of the season.

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