Pep Guardiola admits Erling Haaland concern after Man City goal drought extends in derby

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola admits he is hoping his players can find a more regular supply line to Erling Haaland.

The 27-goal Norwegian was given few opportunities to threaten the Manchester United defence in Saturday’s derby, with the home side sitting deep and man-marking to nullify City’s creativity.

Haaland has taken English football by storm since joining Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund last summer in a £52m deal. The Norwegian hitman has plundered 27 goals in 24 appearances in all competitions, including three hat-tricks.

But he has not found the back of the net in his last three outings and looked nothing more than a passenger in City’s crushing 2-1 derby defeat at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Haaland failed to register a single shot on target and when asked if he wants to see Haaland be in the thick of the action more, Guardiola said: “Yes.

The boss believes when teams camp in and around their own box for long periods, it makes it harder for Haaland to find channels to run into – but perhaps when he did against United, his team-mates didn’t pick him out as often as they could have.

“At the moment we have the process because when teams are sat on the 18-yard box it’s more difficult,” said Guardiola.

“But then we have to find him a little bit more, too. Against United) he had not enough touches, but it’s true that when we get there sometimes we have to look for him. But we will do it.”

Asked who should be looking to play it to Haaland, Pep replied: “Everyone. When we have the ball, everyone is allowed to attack and when you don’t have the ball to defend.

“(United) defended really well, so tight. Fred followed Kevin, and the other one followed Bernardo, so the positions are a bit difficult.

“In the first half I would say they made two good transitions, and in the second half the goal and one or two because of the situation it was completely different.

“We were there all the time, and I recognised my team.

“What I can say is that. Against Southampton it was like ‘what is this? What is this team?’ But against United it was completely the opposite.

“I recognised the team from what we have done for many, many years and to the last day it will be like this.”