Manchester City’s Divine Mukasa discusses number nine role amid Erling Haaland injury concerns | OneFootball

Manchester City’s teenage talent Divine Mukasa has assessed Pep Guardiola’s vision for him playing further forward amidst concerns over Erling Haaland’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s Premier League showdown with Burnley.

Mukasa starred on his competitive senior debut for Manchester City on Wednesday as goals from Phil Foden and Savinho secured a 2-0 win for the Blues on the road at Huddersfield Town to seal a Carabao Cup fourth-round date with Swansea City.

The 18-year-old is one of City’s wide array of up-and-coming academy talents whom Pep Guardiola is increasingly leaning on as he navigates a period of transition at the Etihad Stadium after a busy summer of notable outgoings.

Having impressed in a 3-0 pre-season win away at Palermo in August, Mukasa was drafted into the starting XI on Wednesday as Guardiola made nine changes to the Manchester City lineup that started against Manchester United, Napoli and Arsenal last week.

Mukasa could be in line for his first taste of Premier League action against Burnley on Saturday as doubts circle over Erling Haaland’s availability after the 25-year-old Norwegian complained of pain in his back against Arsenal.

Haaland was taken off after 76 minutes in north London and having given his side a ninth-minute opener, the striker watched from the bench when Gabriel Martinelli’s last-gasp lob over Gianluigi Donnarumma salvaged a 1-1 draw for the Gunners.

Meanwhile, Mukasa is being put to the test by Guardiola and operated in an advanced number nine role role – much higher than his natural midfield position – against Huddersfield Town in midweek – on his first start for the Manchester City senior team.

Guardiola is known for coming up with inspiring positional changes for seasoned stars but the manner is which he tested Mukasa’s positional prowess early doors signals a rising leap of faith on behalf of the Manchester City manager in the 18-year-old academy star.

“That’s the first time I’ve played as number nine. (The manager) gives me more of a false nine role, so it’s a bit similar to being a midfielder. Just getting in the pockets and stuff like that. It’s only really in the final third that I’ve got to play as a nine,” Mukasa said after City’s victory against Huddersfield Town, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.

The London-born midfielder has adjusted to life in Manchester since joining the Blues from West Ham two years ago and looks set to keep playing his part in City’s cup commitments as the season progresses after making a very strong impression on Guardiola and his coaching staff since pre-season.

“You’ve just got to take it in your stride, really,” Mukasa added. “Obviously, you’d be nervous because if you’re not nervous then you probably don’t care. You’re definitely nervous, but you’ve just got to channel it the right way and do what you can.

“That was the information I got from the manager. Even today, to just be myself and be confident, because that’s what the best players do. That’s what I’ve tried to do.”

Guardiola is expected to provide an update on Haaland’s availability for Burnley in a press conference on Friday and should the Catalan decide against risking his talisman against the Clarets, Mukasa could come into his thinking to lead the line after his mature, nerveless showing in midweek.