‘Rest him for Liverpool’ – Man City fans react as Pep Guardiola coy on whether Haaland will be rested against FC Copenhagen

Pep Guardiola has given no clue as to whether he might rest star striker Erling Haaland in Manchester City’s Champions League clash at FC Copenhagen.

City thrashed the Danish champions 5-0, with Haaland scoring twice, in a one-sided encounter at the Etihad Stadium last week.

Guardiola’s side can secure a place in the last 16 with victory in the return fixture at the Parken Stadium on Tuesday.

Yet with a trip to Liverpool to prepare for at the weekend, the City manager could be tempted to rotate his squad.

Haaland has started all 13 of City’s games in all competitions this season, scoring 19 goals in the process.

Speaking at his pre-match press conference on Monday, Guardiola said: “Tomorrow I am going to decide what is the team selection.

“I have to speak with the players, physios and doctors and decide what is the best. Then we will see.

“It’s true that in the last 25-30 minutes when games are tight, that is when fatigue and the risk of injuries rises. But lately we were lucky to score goals in the first half and at the beginning of the second, then after we can rotate.

“But it’s not just to rest players for fatigue but to involve everyone. I like it when everyone can be involved in the team and play as best as possible and reach the best level.”

These Guardiola’s comments were shared on Twitter by City Xtra and it attracted plenty of attention from the club’s supporters.

“Rest him for Liverpool”
Credit: @Rmazza7

“Rest him. Alvarez hattrick”
Credit: @celticpackers

“Bring him on for 20-25 mins toward the end for match sharpness against Liverpool. Probably will score 2 goals in that time as well.”
Credit: @AlvarezYPOTY

“Just play him for 10 mins will probably get 2 goals anyway”
Credit: @mcfc__adam

“Make him starve for them goals, so he can statpad against liverpool”
Credit: @Niggasbebroke00

“He should be rested 100%”
Credit: @Kingroronoa1