Erling Haaland has issued a frank assessment of Manchester City’s shaky start to the season, declaring that recent performances have been “not good enough” and urging his teammates to use Sunday’s Manchester derby as the “perfect” moment to reset their campaign.
After opening the season with an emphatic win at Wolves, Pep Guardiola’s side stumbled with back-to-back defeats against Tottenham and Brighton. Those losses have left the reigning champions a point adrift of Manchester United ahead of a highly anticipated showdown at the Etihad Stadium.
Haaland Demands Urgency and Response
The Norwegian striker, never one to mince words, expressed his frustration following consecutive defeats.
“We’ve lost two games in a row, it’s not good enough, it’s way too bad,” Haaland told Viaplay. “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. We need to all be on our best, get our asses going, get things going, because it’s not been good enough so far.”
Haaland emphasized the importance of channeling the team’s frustration into determination on the pitch:
“Losing’s not cool. It’s annoying you need to use it for something positive. As motivation to do better the next game, and I expect that we are. We need to use the angriness inside us out on the pitch to deliver at our highest level.”
For Haaland, the derby provides both a statement opportunity and a test of mentality. Facing United in front of the home crowd could be the ideal spark to reignite City’s title defense.
Guardiola Shoulders the Pressure
Pep Guardiola, meanwhile, has acknowledged the weight of expectation, making it clear that he is not clinging to past achievements but determined to continue earning his place in charge. With his contract running until 2027, the Catalan insists that only results will secure his future.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen,” Guardiola said. “I know the results dictate all the positions of the teams and I have to make a good season for that.
“I will not stay here when I feel that the club needs a change, but right now I feel I want to do it more than ever after what happened last season and especially now in that moment. I want to be in front of all of the club, to make my shoulders bigger and bigger, to keep the weight of the situation and with my players, try to do it. I’m not here just because I’ve done in the past.”
The City boss also reflected on his longevity at the Etihad, marking his tenth season in Manchester.
“I like to look forward, that’s why we have to grab success because all the time we are thinking about what’s the next,” he said. “But I never ever could have expected one decade. Yes, my 10th season here, I’m so proud of that and I want to help the team for years and years, being there again and again.”
Donnarumma Set for Derby Debut
The derby could also mark the first appearance of Gianluigi Donnarumma in a City shirt. Signed from Paris Saint-Germain for €35 million on deadline day, the Italian goalkeeper is expected to start in place of James Trafford. He replaces Ederson, who departed for Fenerbahce last week after a trophy-laden spell.
Guardiola highlighted that Donnarumma’s qualities differ from his predecessor, cautioning against direct comparisons.
“I will not demand Gigi to do something like he’s uncomfortable,” Guardiola explained. “We are talking about the best players I’ve ever seen in the distribution, in short and long, with Ederson. So we didn’t take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality.”
The introduction of Donnarumma symbolizes both continuity and evolution in Guardiola’s rebuild, as City face a grueling run of seven games in just 22 days.
Lewis Secures Long-Term Future
Amid the turbulence, the club confirmed brighter news with the extension of Rico Lewis’s contract. The versatile 20-year-old defender, long admired by Guardiola for his composure and tactical intelligence, has signed a deal that ties him to City until 2030, with an option for a further year.
Lewis had been linked with Nottingham Forest during the summer transfer window, but Guardiola’s insistence on retaining him underlined his importance in City’s long-term vision. The young star now looks set to play a central role in the squad’s next phase.
A Defining Moment Looms
With United making the short trip across the city, the stakes could hardly be higher. The derby is not just about local bragging rights—it is a chance for City to reassert their authority after a stuttering start.
Haaland’s blunt honesty reflects the urgency within the camp. Guardiola’s willingness to shoulder responsibility and Donnarumma’s imminent debut further raise the intrigue ahead of a fixture that rarely disappoints.
If City are to reestablish themselves as the dominant force, the turnaround must begin now. For Haaland, Guardiola, and the entire squad, Sunday’s clash is more than a game—it is a statement opportunity.
