Evening Standard
·24 January 2026
Pep Guardiola explains decision to drop Erling Haaland for Man City clash with Wolves

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Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·24 January 2026

Out-of-form City striker dropped amid struggles in front of goal
Pep Guardiola has explained his decision to drop Erling Haaland.
Haaland was named on the Manchester City bench against Wolves following his recent struggles.
The striker has scored just one goal from open play in his last eight games and missed a gilt-edged chance in Tuesday’s shock 3-1 defeat to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.
Guardiola recently said that Haaland is “exhausted”.
Haaland was taken out of the team for a crucial game for City in their pursuit of Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
In his absence, Omar Marmoush led the line for City against Wolves.
Explaining his decision, Guardiola said: “There are a lot of games. I want to, a little bit, clean his mind, his body.
“And yeah, the selection is always because I believe that for today it is the best.”
Asked about his form after the Bodo/Glimt game, a disconsolate Haaland said: “I don't have the answers.
”I take full responsibility for not being able to score the goals I should do, so I apologise to everyone and every single Manchester City supporter that travelled today.
"I don't want to speak about how I feel, I do my best whenever I am on the pitch and I am on the pitch quite often because we play ridiculous amount of games. I try to do my best, that is my job and I try to get ready for the next game."
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