Pep Guardiola has urged his Manchester City squad to change they way they use striker Erling Haaland as they seek to put an end to their miserable run of form.
City have won just one of their last 12 games across all competitions and have tumbled down to seventh in the Premier League standings, with Haaland also enduring his own tricky spell in front of goal.
The Norwegian has netted just three times in his last 12 Premier League games, having scored ten in the previous five outings, and Guardiola admitted City need to adapt their approach to scoring goals.
"It's about us, it's not just about one playing," Guardiola said. "When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team. But when you have problems at the back and middle, it is all about the team. Not just one player. If it's just one player it would be easy to see the reason why. It's not about that.
"Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better."
Pep Guardiola, Erling Haaland
Guardiola demands a team effort / Michael Regan/GettyImages
Guardiola went on to admit he is still searching for a solution to City's malaise but credited his players for working tirelessly to try get the team out of their current slump.
"This situation is new for all of us," he continued. "It's about us, everyone. The guys are running and making an effort more than ever.
"People say we are not running, fighting, it's this player, this manager - it is not about that. It is about many little details or some big details that make us not as good as we were. But we have another opportunity on Boxing Day.
"We have players coming back and at a certain time we will be better."
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