Matheus Nunes gets Bernardo Silva chance at Man City after brutal rejection

When Manchester City speak about their title win, it usually comes down to opportunities.

Arsenal and Liverpool offered one up on the day where they both lost within hours of each other, and the reigning Premier League champions took full advantage because they did not think another one would come. They won all of their remaining games and pinched the trophy by two points.

City have another unexpected chance this summer after Matheus Nunes was left out of the Portugal squad. It was unexpected given he had been used previously by Roberto Martinez, and it can't be good for him to accept that he won't be at the major tournament.

ALSO READ: 'Friends for life' - Man City fans breaking down barriers with Gundogan

ALSO READ: Man City transfer state of play with Paqueta, Grealish and £20m clause

Nonetheless, the fact he isn't there does mean he will get time to work with Pep Guardiola and the coaching staff on the pre-season tour. While work behind closed doors in another continent may feel distinctly like second prize, it can give Nunes something that he has looked like he has needed during his first season at the Etihad.

The former Wolves star showed exciting glimpses of his potential last season but never performed consistently enough to be trusted regularly. He has started just one of the last 15 games - the Luton match between the Champions League tie with Real Madrid - and is not expected to improve that run in the FA Cup Final.

What Nunes has appeared to need the most has been the very thing City have been unable to offer during the course of the season: time on the training pitch to understand his role on the pitch and let everything click. As Eric Morecambe might have said, Nunes looks to have all he needs to