Pep Guardiola has defended striker Erling Haaland’s lack of goals in recent weeks and says it is a reflection on the injuries across the team.
Haaland has scored 12 goals in 12 Premier League games, but only two have come in the last seven matches.
“The reason is not Erling,” said Guardiola on why his side are not finding the back of the net as much. “Without Erling we would be in more trouble.
“We have four or five wingers and just one available. We lack the goals from that position. Phil Foden was so productive last season but struggled at the beginning of this season and that makes an influence.
“After Erling, Josko Gvardiol, John Stones and Mateo Kovacic are our top scorers. That is not normal but it is the reality. We have to adapt and without Kevin de Bruyne we have to survive.
“We are lucky that we have Erling as every game he has three or four chances. That is what I want from my team and one day we will score two or three like we did a few years ago.”
Guardiola finished his response by adding: “Tell me one team where Erling would play where they wouldn’t be dependent on him?”