English Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers coach Vítor Pereira has been accused of giving ‘favorite treatment’ to Marshal Munetsi, amid claims that the Zimbabwean star is not deserving of a starting place in the team.
Munetsi (29) moved to Wolves from French Ligue 1 side Stade de Reims in February this year and helped the club to comfortably avoid relegation at the end of last season.
But a poor start to the 2025/26 campaign, which has seen Wolves lose their opening two matches, has resulted in some kind of scrutiny on Pereira’s team selection.
Renowned Wolverhampton-based football journalist Scot Mason, in his opinion article published in the Molineux News recently, argued that Munetsi is getting preferential treatment from Pereira, at a time when the Zimbabwean star is not deserving of a place in the team.
“Every manager has their favourite players, but Vitor Pereira is starting to show favouritism to a Wolves player despite poor performances,” wrote Mason.
“Not every issue is with the transfer market, however, and Pereira is starting to give special treatment to a player who doesn’t necessarily deserve it based on his performances.
“The decision to bench Andre against Bournemouth backfired, and his arrival as a second-half substitute proved it.
“The Brazilian solidified the middle of the pitch, and even after the red card to Toti Gomes, the Molineux side looked much better. Speaking after the game, Pereira defended his decision, saying, Andre must deserve to play.’
“However, the manager seems to solely be applying this logic to the former Fluminense player, as Marshall Munetsi has been far from deserving to start, yet has done so in both games this season.
“Vitor Pereira’s message is a good one. Each player must deserve to play, but the message falls flat when performances like Munetsi’s seem to be consistently rewarded, while others are punished.
“There is a little bit of sympathy for the 29-year-old, who is playing in an unfavoured role, having been transformed into an attacking player. Before signing for Vitor Pereira at Wolves, he predominantly played in midfield.
“However, that doesn’t mean he is immune to criticism.”
