Nunes and O’Reilly react as Ait Nouri hails Man City development
Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly have both reacted to a message from Man City teammate Rayan Ait Nouri following the latest updates at the club.
Pep Guardiola‘s side fell some way short of expectations during the 2024/25 campaign, failing to pick up any major silverware.
That has put them under pressure to act in the transfer window this summer in order to strengthen the squad and avoid a repeat of that in the coming campaign.
They have already been busy in the market as they look to do that, with Rayan Ait Nouri joining Man City from Wolves as one of the club’s four new signings so far.
Rayan Ait Nouri completes debut
Having completed that move, the 24-year-old has now got his first taste of competitive action for his new club.
With his side competing in the Club World Cup, the left-back was an unused substitute as Man City beat Wydad Casablanca 2-0 in their opening group game in America.
Early on Monday morning (23 June) though, Ait Nouri played the full 90 minutes as the Premier League side battered Emirati outfit Al-Ain 6-0 in their second group game.
That has already ensured that they have now secured their place in the knockout stages, ahead of a clash with Juventus on Thursday (26 June).
Taking to Instagram to reflect on that, the Algeria international wrote: “Honoured to make my Man City debut! We keep pushing for more”.
In response, a number of his Man City teammates including Nunes – who he previously played with at Wolves – O’Reilly, Erling Haaland, Nathan Ake, Omar Marmoush and Tijjani Reijnders all liked that post.
Man City can be pleased with Club World Cup progress
Football Insider Verdict
There are a number of European clubs who have endured some difficult results at the start of the Club World Cup campaign.
Guardiola’s side will be pleased to have avoided the stress and embarrassment of that, coming through with two comofortable wins to earn their place in the knockout stage.
Beyond that, they have been productive for the new signings as well. While Ait Nouri made his debut against Al-Ain, Rayan Cherki got his first goal for Man City in that game as well.
As a result, those recruits can start to feel as though they are settling in well to their new club, which will help them at the start of a key 2025/26 campaign as they look to right the wrongs of last season.
It also ensures workloads can be managed through rotation during this busy schedule, all of which makes this a positive start to the tournament for Man City.