Pep Guardiola has already solved glaring Man City problem with 'very intelligent' player
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(Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media)
Ciaran Morrison
Tue 16 September 2025 8:00, UK
Pep Guardiola may have found the solution to a troubled position in the Man City starting XI, who is pushing for a start against Napoli.
Man City cruised to a 3-0 victory over Man United courtesy of an Erling Haaland brace and a Phil Foden strike, which opened the scoring, last time out.
The three points mean Man City return to winning ways in the Premier League following back-to-back league defeats against Brighton and Tottenham.
The comprehensive victory over their rivals eased a headache for Guardiola in one position which was a problem for the Spaniard ahead of their opening Champions League clash against Napoli.
Credit: Imago
Before the Manchester derby, Guardiola had used two right-back’s in thee games so far this season.
Against Man United he elected to use Abdukodir Khusanov in the position over Rico Lewis or Matheus Nunes.
Khusanov’s display may have solved a problem for Guardiola at right-back, and have eased his selection dilemma before Napoli.
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His display limited Man United to just two shots on target at the Etihad and kept debutant Benjamin Sesko quiet up-front.
Minutes Played90Touches70Defensive Contributions12Clearances6Recoveries5Abdukodir Khusanov’ stats for Man City against Man United as per Fotmob.
The 21-year-old can be rash at times, and has yet to put a run of games together in a Man City shirt, but with stiff competition at centre-half from Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol, right-back could be his new position in the team.
Abdukodir Khusanov started at right-back against Man United.
(Credit Imago)
Lewis signed a new Man City contract recently, but has been dropped for the past two matches whilst Nunes has been converted into the position from midfield.
The 27-year-old is naturally a midfielder, though he has been given the most minutes of his Man City career at right-back, and there doesn’t seem to be a role for him in the team with Khusanov now deployed in the position.
Khusanov is a natural defender with combative qualities and will not invert into midfield like Nunes or Lewis, though will offer Guardiola greater solidity at the back.
The Athletic [15 September] call him the “perfect defender for a team that dominates possession.”
Whilst Khusanov still needs to improve areas of his game, there now looks to be a future for the defender at Man City, whilst Lewis and Nunes must fight to regain their place in the starting XI.