Pep Guardiola has already hinted at Man City right-back plan - but some fans might not like it

With a move for Tino Livramento this summer now off the table, Manchester City look likely to head into the new season with the same options they had at the end of the last campaign.

The permanent end of Kyle Walker’s eight-year stay at the Etihad this summer means that position is now up for grabs. City did hold an interest in 22-year-old Livramento earlier in the window, although they never made a bid and have now ruled out an approach.

With most of their transfer business now done, City’s focus is on shifting players out, bar perhaps a change in goal if Ederson leaves and James Trafford returns, so the battle for right-back will be a familiar one.

Walker’s form fell apart last season and he moved to AC Milan on loan in January, leaving Rico Lewis and Matheus Nunes to fight it out. Nunes played 19 games at right-back last season and Lewis 22 games, but those figures might be reversed.

Nunes certainly seems to have the edge at the moment, with Lewis hindered by the red card he picked up against Wydad AC in the Club World Cup, which ruled him out for the rest of the tournament.

Portugal international Nunes also ended last season in better form, starting nine of the final 12 Premier League games. He also earned praise from Pep Guardiola after a goalless draw at Old Trafford in April.

Guardiola’s answer actually ended Nunes’ slim chances of ever making it as a midfielder at the Etihad, but he did speak warmly about his abilities as a right-back.

"He [Nunes] can become a good right-back for his physicality," Guardiola said. "I think he's not a player to play in midfield because he's not clever enough, in the composure, but he has incredible skills and he's learning a lot.

"The big mistake of full-backs is when you have the