Guardiola: Man City need to use Haaland better

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City need to use Erling Haaland better so the striker can regain his red-hot form in front of goal.

City are on a run of just one win in 12 games in all competitions, with the Premier League champions losing nine of those matches, with their misery further compounded by a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

The Norway international managed just one shot in that game, which came in the 90th minute and also marked his only touch in the Villa box, as he failed to score in a third consecutive outing.

Haaland started the season by scoring 14 goals in 13 games in all competitions, averaging a goal every 81 minutes, with a shot conversion rate of 23.3%.

Yet, since the start of City’s slump, Haaland has hit the back of the net just four times in 11 appearances, with his minutes-per-goal ratio dropping to 248, and his shot conversion rate also tumbling to 9.8%.

Following the defeat at Villa Park, the striker said he had not been good enough of late, but Guardiola insisted that the burden of their dismal streak fell on all the players.

“It’s about us, it’s not just about one playing,” Guardiola said.

“When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team. Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better.

“The reason why is this one and this one and this one. It is about us, about everyone. The guys are running more than ever. Many little details and big details make us not as good as we were.”

City have struggled with injuries this term, with the likes of Rodri, Oscar Bobb, and Ruben Dias out, while Ederson and Matheus Nunes are both doubts for their Boxing Day clash with Everton.

They had been boosted by the return of John Stones, who had been out with a foot injury, for the trip to Villa, but the defender was substituted at half-time, and now looks set to miss out against his former club.

“We will see how many players we have available. Right now, I do not know,” Guardiola said.

“Still, I didn’t talk with the doctors, but apparently, if he [Stones] could not continue in the second half in Villa Park, it’s because he will not be ready.”