Haaland goes missing

Erling Haaland has 26 goals across all competitions and the season has only just passed its midpoint. The numbers are staggering. But his relentless presence around goal, and the degree to which his team depends on him, mean that his quiet games stand out all the more. To City’s detriment, Haaland has largely gone missing so far this year. 2026 has not started well for Manchester City, nor for their leading scorer.

Two draws and one defeat in the league. Two wins in five matches overall, both coming in cup competitions, one of them against a third-division side. Points are being dropped, the gap to the top of the Premier League is growing, and doubts are mounting. City have had significant absences in defense, but the attack is not making up for it. The reliance on Haaland is increasing, yet the Norwegian is not delivering.

Guardiola on Haaland

“It’s a matter of energy,” said Pep Guardiola after Saturday’s derby defeat. “But that energy has to be passed on by his teammates as well. We like how he has been playing this season, but we need to be more consistent day to day.”

At Old Trafford, Haaland took just two shots, both blocked before they reached the goal guarded by Arnaud Lammens, who, despite the tension of the derby, enjoyed a relatively quiet afternoon. Those were Haaland’s only touches inside the opposing penalty area. He had the ball at his feet on 12 other occasions, but none of those interventions had any real impact. Lisandro Martínez, smaller in stature than City’s striker, got the better of him repeatedly on Saturday afternoon.

Guardiola takes Haaland off

With City trailing, and with Bryan Mbeumo and Patrick Dorgu having scored the goals that ultimately secured the win for Manchester United, Guardiola needed a jolt in the final 10 minutes if his side were to claw their way back into the contest. His decision was to take Haaland off.

He went largely unnoticed in the midweek win over Newcastle United, then played 45 minutes against Exeter City as his teammates scored 10 goals without him finding the net. He did score at Brighton & Hove Albion, converting a penalty just before halftime to put City ahead. Even so, a second-half goal from Kaoru Mitoma forced the teams to settle for a draw. Against Chelsea and Sunderland, Haaland also failed to stand out. Seven shots in six matches. One goal, no assists.

Does he need rest? And will Guardiola allow it when Omar Marmoush returns from the Africa Cup of Nations? Guardiola was asked those questions after the defeat to United, and his response was emphatic.

“We need Haaland,” the City manager said. “He is very important for us. I can see how the players are feeling, but we need to see how they recover and whether they keep trying.”

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