London, UK – In the wake of Manchester City’s 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Villa Park, striker Erling Haaland has taken personal responsibility for his recent performance, acknowledging a need for improvement. Speaking to @footballontnt, Haaland was candid about his struggles, stating, “I’m looking at myself first, I haven’t been doing things good enough. I haven’t been scoring my chances. I have to do better.”
The Norwegian international’s remarks come at a critical time for Manchester City, whose recent form has seen them lose nine out of their last twelve matches across all competitions, a stark contrast to their previously dominant seasons. This defeat not only ended City’s title defense hopes but also spotlighted the tactical challenges faced by manager Pep Guardiola.
Haaland, who has been a focal point of criticism alongside Guardiola, emphasized his commitment to turn things around. “I have to do better, work harder, and start performing because it’s not good enough,” he added, reflecting a determination to bounce back from this slump.
The match against Aston Villa was pivotal, with Villa’s victory at home showcasing their potential as a serious contender in the league, thanks to standout performances from young talents like Duran and Rogers. For Manchester City, this loss has sparked widespread debate regarding Guardiola’s future at the club, drawing comparisons to legendary managers like Sir Alex Ferguson, who also faced similar scrutiny during his tenure.
Despite the current downturn, Haaland remains optimistic about Guardiola’s ability to steer the ship, stating, “Pep Guardiola won the Premier League six times in seven years. We will never forget that, he will find the solutions. We still believe in Pep, and we have to work harder than ever right now.”
This statement of support from Haaland underscores the unity within the squad, even as they navigate through one of their most challenging periods in recent history. With the season still ongoing, the focus for Haaland and Manchester City will be on rectifying their form and salvaging what they can from the campaign.