Erling Haaland did not hold back while assessing Manchester City poor form so far ahead of their crucial Premier League clash against rivals Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium.
The Norwegian striker, who has been a central figure for City since his arrival, admitted that the start to the campaign has fallen well below the standards expected of the Sky Blues.
The Cityzens have lost two of their opening three matches of the season, raising early concerns about Manchester City performances.
A defeat to Tottenham Hotspur was followed by another frustrating loss against Brighton & Hove Albion before the international break, leaving the Pep Guardiola’s side in a position they are unaccustomed to.
For Haaland, the message is clear: the performance levels of the team so far are unacceptable.
He insisted that the squad must take responsibility for the results and urgently rediscover the intensity and rhythm that defined their recent dominance.
“We’ve lost two games in a row, it’s not good enough, it’s way too bad,” Haaland said, according to Mirror.
“We need to figure it out, get back to winning ways. We can’t afford to lose games as there’s so many good teams. It’s perfect to turn things around against United.”
READ MORE: Rico Lewis Tells Guardiola Where He Likes To Play After Extending Contract
The striker’s comments reflect the growing pressure on Pep Guardiola’s squad, who now face a must-win derby fixture that could either reignite their season or deepen their struggles.
Guardiola Stands Firm Despite Manchester City Poor Form
While Haaland delivered a brutal assessment of City’s early struggles, manager Pep Guardiola appeared calm and focused on finding solutions.
Addressing the media in his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Spanish tactician acknowledged that the results so far have been disappointing but stressed his belief in the team’s ability to recover.
Guardiola believes that the early season slump represents both a challenge and an opportunity to show resilience.
“I know the results dictate all the positions of the teams and I have to make a good season for that,” Guardiola said.
“I will not stay here when I feel that the club needs a chance, but right now I feel that I want to do it more than ever, after what happened last season and especially now in that moment.”
READ MORE: Erling Haaland makes history, wins a ‘special’ award after unbelievable performance
Guardiola has often emphasized that success in the Premier League requires adaptation and consistency, and this latest dip in form is another test of his philosophy.
A Derby With Added Significance
The Manchester derby has always carried weight, but Sunday’s clash comes with added urgency for the Sky Blues.
With United showing signs of improvement and City battling questions about their confidence, the result could set the tone for the weeks ahead.
As Haaland put it, the perfect way to turn things around is against United — but only if City can finally rise to the occasion.
