Wolves fell to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United on Saturday – but midfielder Matheus Nunes arguably had his best game yet for the club.
Marcus Rashford came off the bench to score for the Red Devils, which was a punch to the gut for the home side.
Wolves at least matched United in the game, and deserved to come away with a point.
But Rashford waltzed through from the left side to score, which proved the difference between the two sides at Molineux.
Lopetegui was frustrated after the game. He was clear unhappy with some of the decisions made the game.
But he will also take several positives.
Nunes’ performance was one of the biggest for Wolves.
He was back starting again, after Lopetegui had benched him against Gillingham and Everton.
And Nunes showed why he should be starting every game.
He was finally deployed a little bit deeper than where he’s played for most of the season.
He thrived collecting the ball and then surging forwards into space. Often, United’s players could really get near him when he was in full flow.
In the first-half he made one particularly fantastic run before playing Diego Costa in. The veteran cut inside but produced a feeble shot that was easily saved by David De Gea.
But you felt that Nunes was playing with a bit more confidence. He was clearly in a role he is more used to and comfortable in.
Leading up the game, Nunes spoke about wanting to improve in 2023 and admitted he didn’t do enough for Wolves before the World Cup.
On the evidence of his display against United, he is certainly ready to walk the walk.
Matheus Nunes display against Manchester United could be a sign of things to come under Lopetegui, it was surely his best game so far
It was great to see Nunes having a big impact for Wolves, and against a Big Six opponent.
The 24-year-old looked far more comfortable receiving the ball deep and then using his pace and power to carry it forwards.
That is his game in a nutshell. Bruno Lage and Steve Davis both completely missed a trick using him in more advanced positions.
Nunes spoke defiantly last week about wanting to improve.
And that display against United was definitely a case of actions backing up his words.
It is exciting to think how good he could now become under a head coach like Lopetegui.