Why Erling Haaland has been struggling to score for Manchester City, as explained by Pep Guardiola | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has backed Erling Haaland to find his feet in front of goal sooner rather than later in the backdrop of a slow start to 2026.

Haaland has scored just once – a penalty in a 1-1 draw with Brighton on January 8 – in his last nine appearances in all competitions, with Manchester City making a sluggish start to the calendar year that has raised questions over the Blues’ silverware prospects this term.

Guardiola’s side have won just three of their last eight games and after successive losses to Manchester United and Bodo/Glimt, City returned to winning ways on Saturday as goals from Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo secured a 2-0 win over Wolves at the Etihad Stadium.

The Blues have bolstered their attack with the shrewd acquisition of Semenyo from Bournemouth in January, with the 26-year-old making a flying start to life in north-west and netting a third goal in his first fortnight in Manchester City colours at the weekend.

Guardiola made five changes to his starting XI against Wolves, with Erling Haaland and Phil Foden dropped to the bench ahead of a monumental UEFA Champions League group-stage decider against Galatasaray on Wednesday night.

Previewing a reunion with former Manchester City pair Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane, Guardiola was quizzed on why he thinks Haaland has struggled to score from open play of late.

“The team; they have to play better, create more chances and he will score,” said Guardiola in a passionate defence of his number nine.

“Never underestimate the strikers, the goalscorers because always they will make you silent. He is going to score for the rest of his life, that’s for sure.”

Haaland is expected to return to the starting XI against Galatasaray as Manchester City search for three points in their final group-stage fixture to avoid the play-off stage of the competition for the second time in as many seasons.

City were handed a renewed title race lifeline by Arsenal at the weekend as Manchester United claimed a shock 3-2 win at the home of the Premier League leaders, whose lead at the top of the table stands at four points ahead of this weekend’s fixtures.

The injury list, as it stands for Manchester City, is longer than Guardiola would like but Nico Gonzalez could be back against Galatasaray and Ruben Dias is looking to recover in time for next weekend’s Premier League trip to Anfield.

John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, Mateo Kovacic and Savinho remain unavailable, with talks progressing between Manchester City and Fulham to reach an agreement for the transfer of Oscar Bobb in the final week of the January window.