Erling Haaland and Phil Foden sent honest message by Pep Guardiola after Wolves exclusion | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has made a plea to Erling Haaland and Phil Foden after the pair started Saturday’s 2-0 win over Wolves on the bench.

Four days on from an embarrassing 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the UEFA Champions League in Norway, Guardiola made five changes to his starting XI to face Wolves as Haaland and Foden were among those who dropped to the bench.

Omar Marmoush started down the middle on his first start for the Blues since returning from the Africa Cup of Nations, with January signing Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki partnering the returning Egypt international in attack.

Marmoush didn’t take long to remind Guardiola of his quality as he expertly met a delicious Matheus Nunes cross to give City a sixth-minute lead, with Semenyo scoring his third Manchester City goal on the cusp of half-time to establish breathing room for the hosts.

Much was made of Guardiola’s decision to drop Haaland and Foden to the bench but with the games coming thick and fast for Manchester City, the Blues boss explained his decision after his side’s first Premier League win of 2026.

“We cannot do what we want to try to do this season and in the future of this club without Erling Haaland and Phil Foden. They’ve played a lot,” Guardiola said in his post-match press conference on Saturday.

The goals have dried up for Haaland and Foden in the last month or so and Guardiola is desperate to see the attacking duo return to their best. “People up front are a question of numbers, but we need desperately the best from Erling and Phil,” the Catalan added.

Meanwhile, Guardiola will be delighted with the ease with each Semenyo has effortlessly slotted in after joining from Bournemouth, with Marmoush also reminding his manager of his quality after a disappointing first half of the season for the 26-year-old.

“A good result and hopefully, we can take good energy for our game (vs Galatasaray) on Wednesday,” Guardiola added on Manchester City’s performance against Wolves.

City have, for the time being, cut Arsenal’s lead at the top of the Premier League to four points ahead of the Gunners’ meeting with high-flying Manchester United at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday evening.

Haaland was scoring for fun in the first half of the season but fatigue has seemingly caught up with Manchester City’s number nine, who will no doubt be back in the starting XI against Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League next week.

Foden has also returned to his best form this term and Guardiola will not be overly worried about the England international’s recent dip either, though the arrival of Semenyo and return of Marmoush will instil huge confidence in the Manchester City manager as the season progresses.