At the beginning of the season, Pep Guardiola made a strategic decision based on the circumstances surrounding his squad, particularly the absence of Kevin De Bruyne. He put his faith in Erling Haaland, focusing the team’s attacking strategy around the prolific striker. Early signs pointed to success as Haaland demonstrated his formidable goal-scoring ability, even reigniting Manchester City’s title challenge against Arsenal.
However, a recent downturn in form has raised concerns. Over the past month, Haaland has only managed to score once—a penalty against Brighton—leading to a disappointing stretch without a league victory in 2026. This dip in performance has brought Manchester City closer to Manchester United in the standings, especially if Arsenal secures a win over Nottingham Forest.
The situation came to a head during United’s decisive 2-0 victory over City, where despite Michael Carrick’s tactical genius, City’s vulnerabilities were exposed. The absence of key defenders like Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias has been especially costly, leading to gaps in City’s defense that United exploited. Haaland, who is usually a significant offensive threat, struggled significantly against a well-organized United defense led by Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, managing only 14 touches throughout the match.
Haaland’s performance indicators also reflect his struggles. His shots per 90 minutes have sharply declined, suggesting he is perhaps fatigued, having logged 2,478 minutes this season—more than any of his teammates. This raises questions about whether Guardiola’s heavy reliance on Haaland’s scoring prowess is backfiring, particularly as the team appears to be stumbling just as they should be gaining momentum for a late-season push.
Despite these challenges, there is room for optimism. Guardiola has a track record of overcoming obstacles and readjusting his tactics to reinvigorate his team’s performance. While the current situation seems dire, the potential for a turnaround remains. As Haaland and the team find their footing again, they could still mount a serious challenge in the Premier League, maintaining the excitement and unpredictability of the season.