Erling Haaland was left out of Manchester City’s starting line-up for their Premier League meeting with Wolves, with Pep Guardiola opting to make a major call as the striker continues an eight-game run without an open-play goal.
City went into the game needing a lift, and Guardiola decided to change his forward line against the league’s basement side. Haaland’s absence from the XI immediately stood out, given his usual role as an automatic starter when fit.
The reason for the decision was then confirmed: Haaland was not starting because Guardiola felt other options were better suited to the match at Molineux, with the Norwegian also battling a minor issue that has been managed by the club. The move came with Haaland stuck in that eight-game drought for open-play goals.
Guardiola has regularly spoken about the demands placed on his squad across the season, and this latest selection call underlined City’s willingness to rotate even their biggest names when form and fitness are being monitored.
Haaland was still involved with the matchday squad, but City’s plan from the first whistle was to try a different approach in attack as they looked to get back to their best in the Premier League.
