Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (right) and Erling Haaland (Image: PA)
Pep Guardiola has come to the defense of struggling Manchester City star Erling Haaland following their recent shock defeat to Aston Villa, refuting any individual blame.
Although the team has slipped to seventh in the Premier League and fallen 12 points behind leaders Liverpool, the City boss is maintaining the usual mantra.
“It's about us, not just one player,” Guardiola remains confident in Haaland's abilities and his value to the team, stressing: “In the past when we were scoring goals and Erling was so prolific and helped us, it was thanks to the team. But when we have problems at the back and in the middle, it all depends on the team.
“Not just one player. If it was just one player it would be easy to understand why. It's not about that. Erling is so important to us, he will be too and we need to do better. 'to use.”
Ahead of the crucial Boxing Day clash against Everton, the manager expresses unwavering confidence in his team, concluding: “This situation is new for all of us.
“It's about us, everyone. Guys are running and trying harder than ever. People say we don't run, we don't fight, it's this player, this manager – he doesn't it's not about that.
Manchester City's Erling Haaland looks dejected (Image: Getty Images)
“It's a lot of little details or big details that make us worse than before. But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day. We have players coming back and at some point we will be better.”
Haaland admitted he is feeling the weight of his recent goal drought, but remains confident in Guardiola's ability to get Manchester City back on track as their title defense hits a tough patch.
“Of course we're disappointed, it's not good enough. It's not good enough from me,” he revealed to TNT Sports. “We have to keep going, we have to believe and we have to keep working hard. We have to keep going.”
“First, I look at myself, I didn't do things well enough, I didn't score my chances. I have to do better, I wasn't good enough. We know how much confidence is important and you I can see that it affects every human being. It's like that, we have to keep going and stay positive even if it's difficult.
“He won the Premier League six times in seven years, so we will never forget that. He will find the solutions. He has done it every year. We still believe in him, we have to work harder than ever at the moment “
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1992797/Man-City-news-Pep-Guardiola-Erling-Haaland