“He’ll be back” – Pep Guardiola retains trust in Manchester City star despite recent slump | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland to return to his best after a brief spell wherein the forward has struggled to find the net.

Haaland has scored 26 times and provided four assists in 29 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City this season, underscoring his indispensability to Pep Guardiola and co’s aspirations for silverware on all fronts.

The 25-year-old has been scoring for fun this term and was a big reason for Manchester City overturning their fortunes following a sluggish start to the season – wherein they lost twice in their opening three Premier League games.

The arrival of Rayan Cherki from Lyon as well as the resurgence of Phil Foden have played a crucial role in getting the best out of Haaland, whose fitness and form in the remainder of the campaign will be instrumental in determining how City fare.

However, the Norway international has been profligate in City’s recent games, missing his customary ruthlessness as the Blues drew three Premier League games on the spin – against Sunderland, Chelsea and Brighton – to lose further ground in the title race.

Haaland has scored just once in Manchester City’s last six games in all competitions but Guardiola is certain that the Leeds-born forward will return to his best sooner rather than later, praising the Scandinavian for his notable contributions this term.

Guardiola said: “God bless, we have Erling (Haaland) in our team right now and all the season. We are fortunate to have him. Without him we will not be in the position that we are right now,” as he previewed Saturday’s lunchtime Manchester derby.

Stressing that City’s number nine offers a lot even when he isn’t scoring as usual, Guardiola added: “Yeah, a lot. He’s getting better in many, many things. But it’s a lot of games; you have an incredible period, four games in every three days, three days, three days.

“Recovery is less with travel and tough conditions, central defenders tough. Yeah, it’s difficult, you know? But he’ll be back.”

On whether Erling Haaland relishes the physical confrontations with defenders, Guardiola said: “He’s the striker all around the world that he makes more fouls than defenders to him. That is the biggest attribute from Erling Haaland. That’s really good.

“So he’s the only striker I’ve seen in my life that he makes more fouls to the defenders than defenders to him. I never saw like that. But, in the beginning of the season, the referees said it would be the opposite but it’s completely the opposite, honestly.

“Do you see what happens in the boxes? When he’s pushed and held around the… I don’t know how they can survive. But what happened today with the keepers there in the box, I don’t understand after that how it’s never a foul. Every time Erling touches the opponent, it’s a foul from Erling. I don’t understand.”

Haaland will be hoping to return to the scoresheet when Manchester City search for their first Premier League win of 2026 against Manchester United