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Guardiola explains why Erling Haaland struggled in Manchester City’s derby loss against Manchester United.
Pep Guardiola revealed the reason why Manchester City star Erling Haaland failed to perform in the club’s derby defeat against Manchester United.
Haaland had a lacklustre performance when the two rivals met again on Saturday after scoring a hat-trick in his first-ever Manchester derby back in October. He made very little of an impact up front as Manchester City lost to their rivals 1-2.
Guardiola is sure that the striker will adapt to their system despite acknowledging that the Norwegian has to be more effective, particularly when teams fall back and defend.
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Speaking to reporters Guardiola said: “At the moment we have that process because when teams are sat in their 18-yard box, it is more difficult but we have to find him a little bit more, yes. (Against United) he had enough touches but it’s true that when you are looking at areas and you have to look at him. But we will do it.”
While this shouldn’t raise too many warning flags, Haaland has now gone three games without scoring, which is a slump for a player who had 27 goals in his first 21 appearances for the team.
Guardiola’s men next take on Tottenham Hotspur in a Premier League tie on Thursday. A win could help them reduce the gap with league leaders Arsenal who currently have a resounding 10-point lead at the top.