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Manchester City have been witnessing drastic changes in their squad, with as many as five primary players leaving the club ahead of the season. With an influx of young but less-experienced players, City forward Erling Haaland believes the team must adapt to the changes under Pep Guardiola.
“A lot of important people left so new people have to come in and make a difference and people that have been here for years like me have to take more responsibility,” said Haaland ahead of the Manchester derby to Sky Sports.
“We need to help each other. We need to understand that the past is the past and we’re not the same team anymore. We have to use it in a positive way. We have other qualities now and we have to adapt. In the end, the most important thing is we have to win games,” he added.
Haaland was referring to key figures from City’s treble-winning side like Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Kyle Walker, Ederson and Manuel Akanji, who all left in the summer. In their place arrived new faces such as Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders, James Trafford and Gianluigi Donnarumma
“I have to guide the team, I have to help the new ones to come in as quick as possible, because it’s not easy to come into a new country and perform straight away,” said Haaland.
City have endured a tough phase in the Premier League after being handed back-to-back losses by Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton. They will now host neighbours and arch-rivals Manchester United on Sunday evening.
In this tough time, Haaland defended his side and said, “We played a way that we won everything, which was amazing, and now I think football is changing.
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“You saw PSG and Liverpool last year just absolutely running over people and you have to adapt. You have to, of course, stick to your principles, but you have to adapt a little bit with the people you play with,” he added.
‘Have to win games, fight for titles’
City also went trophyless for the first time in eight years in 2024-25 season. Haaland is also aware of a poor record against United at home.
“What’s sure is City has to win things,” he continues. “We have to win games and we have to fight for titles. That’s what we have to do,” he said.
The Norwegian called himself a performer and said he takes the expectations from others in a positive manner.
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“Of course, I have to perform, I’m a performer. People expect a lot of things from me, so I have to use it in a positive way. It’s not easy losing a lot of games, you know, having the pressure on you. It’s a lot on me, I get it, I totally agree that’s how it should be. Again, it’s about finding positive things. It’s about trying to turn it around and helping the team to achieve things – that’s why I’m here,” he added.
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