{"id":38773,"date":"2026-01-24T18:16:55","date_gmt":"2026-01-24T23:16:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/24\/unpacking-the-decision-the-reason-erling-haaland-missed-out-on-manchester-citys-starting-xi\/"},"modified":"2026-01-24T18:16:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-24T23:16:55","slug":"unpacking-the-decision-the-reason-erling-haaland-missed-out-on-manchester-citys-starting-xi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/24\/unpacking-the-decision-the-reason-erling-haaland-missed-out-on-manchester-citys-starting-xi\/","title":{"rendered":"Unpacking the Decision: The Reason Erling Haaland Missed Out on Manchester City\u2019s Starting XI"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/24\/unpacking-the-decision-the-reason-erling-haaland-missed-out-on-manchester-citys-starting-xi\/#%E2%80%98Tired_Haaland_misses_match_against_Wolves\" >&#8216;Tired&#8217; Haaland misses match against Wolves<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/24\/unpacking-the-decision-the-reason-erling-haaland-missed-out-on-manchester-citys-starting-xi\/#Guardiola_on_Haaland\" >Guardiola on Haaland<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/2026\/01\/24\/unpacking-the-decision-the-reason-erling-haaland-missed-out-on-manchester-citys-starting-xi\/#Guehis_debut\" >Guehi&#8217;s debut<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<div data-v-746446fd=\"\"><!--(--><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex-col-cntr article-content mg-b-25\" style=\"width:100%;\" showslider=\"false\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">\n<div class=\"freeform-content\"><img decoding=\"async\" height=\"20px\" src=\"https:\/\/b.fssta.com\/uploads\/application\/external-logos\/goal-dot-com-logo_black.svg\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has decided to bench Erling Haaland for the Premier League match against Wolves, following his goal drought of eight matches since the season opener. Despite having scored 20 goals in the first 22 league games, the last time Haaland scored was from the penalty spot against Brighton in early January, and he hasn&#8217;t netted in a friendly since December.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-content mg-b-25\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%98Tired_Haaland_misses_match_against_Wolves\"><\/span>&#8216;Tired&#8217; Haaland misses match against Wolves<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Haaland hasn&#8217;t been absent from the City squad since November 25, when he began the game on the bench against Bayer Leverkusen. The last full match he missed was on October 29 against Swansea in the Carabao Cup. Guardiola acknowledged last week that Haaland was &#8220;tired&#8221; after the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle. The prolific striker failed to impress during City&#8217;s 2-0 loss to Manchester United and squandered chances in their unexpected 3-1 defeat to Bod\u00f8\/Glimt in the Champions League. Consequently, Guardiola chose to rest his leading scorer for the clash against the bottom-placed Wolves.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"article-content mg-b-25\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guardiola_on_Haaland\"><\/span>Guardiola on Haaland<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Guardiola commented on his decision to sit Haaland, saying: &#8220;We have a busy schedule. I want to give his mind and body a little break, and this choice reflects my belief that it\u2019s for the best today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Haaland, reflecting on his struggles and the team&#8217;s poor performance following the loss, stated: &#8220;I have no answers. I take full responsibility for not scoring when I should have. I want to apologize to the Man City fans and those who traveled. It\u2019s genuinely embarrassing.&#8221; He acknowledged Bod\u00f8&#8217;s strong performance and admitted, &#8220;I don\u2019t know what to say; it\u2019s disappointing.&#8221;<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mg-b-15 article-content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Guehis_debut\"><\/span>Guehi&#8217;s debut<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<div class=\"full-width-image mg-t-15 article-content mg-b-25\" displaynav=\"true\" data-v-746446fd=\"\"><img loading=\"lazy\" srcset=\"https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0\/0\/GettyImages-2257938235.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1,  https:\/\/a57.foxsports.com\/statics.foxsports.com\/www.foxsports.com\/content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/0\/0\/GettyImages-2257938235.jpg?ve=1&amp;tl=1 2x\" width=\"640\" height=\"427\" loading=\"lazy\"\/> <\/div>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Marc Guehi, City&#8217;s recent acquisition from Crystal Palace for \u00a320 million, made his debut against Wolves. He is set to pair with Abdukkodir Kusanov, offering much-needed experience and leadership to a defense weakened by injuries to John Stones, Josko Gvardiol, and Ruben Dias.<\/p>\n<p class=\"ff-h fs-16 lh-1pt6 mg-b-15 article-content\" use-external-image=\"false\" data-v-746446fd=\"\">Guehi expressed his excitement about joining Guardiola&#8217;s side, stating: &#8220;This transfer represents the result of my hard work. I&#8217;m thrilled to be at the best club in England and to join such an extraordinary team. I look forward to developing as a player and a person at this club.&#8221; He added, &#8220;Football has been a significant part of my life, and I am eager to continue my growth at Manchester City. I can&#8217;t wait to train, connect with my teammates, understand the manager&#8217;s expectations, and showcase my skills to the City fans.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><!--)--><\/div>\n<p><strong>Fan Take:<\/strong> This news is significant for soccer enthusiasts as it highlights the challenges even top players face, reminding us of the importance of mental and physical well-being in sports. Additionally, Guehi&#8217;s debut could be pivotal for City&#8217;s defense and overall performance as they navigate through a tough period.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola has decided to bench Erling Haaland for the Premier League match against Wolves, following his goal drought of eight matches since the season opener. Despite having scored 20 goals in the first 22 league games, the last time Haaland scored was from the penalty spot against Brighton in early January, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":38774,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[2269,1455,6612,40,1866,106,950,46,3023,45,2801,1365],"class_list":{"0":"post-38773","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-football","8":"tag-citys","9":"tag-decision","10":"tag-erling","11":"tag-football","12":"tag-haaland","13":"tag-manchester","14":"tag-missed","15":"tag-news","16":"tag-reason","17":"tag-soccer","18":"tag-starting","19":"tag-unpacking"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38773","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38773"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38773\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38774"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38773"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38773"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportsdaily.news\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38773"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}