**Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has insisted that Erling Haaland needed not to apologise for the defeat to Bodo/Glimt in midweek.**
Haaland assumed responsibility for his side’s lacklustre 3-1 defeat in the Arctic Circle as Manchester City’s captaincy group – comprising skipper Bernardo Silva, Rodri, Erling Haaland and Haaland – went on to spent over £10,000 to refund ticket expenses for 374 travelling fans.
City have been shy of goals in 2026, having won twice in their last seven games in all competitions to raise huge questions over their silverware prospects in a transitional season. The Blues are yet to win in the Premier League in 2026.
Guardiola has welcomed Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi to his ranks in January, with the latter set to make his Manchester City debut against Wolves on Saturday.
Nothing less than three points will do for Guardiola and co against Wolves, with Tuesday’s disastrous showing in Norway prompting Haaland to lead the way with heartfelt apologies to the Manchester City fanbase in post-match media duties and on social media.
Speaking to reporters ahead of Manchester City’s weekend clash against Wolves, Guardiola was quizzed on Haaland’s post-match comments with broadcasters in which the Norwegian issued an apology to supporters.
“He has not to apologise. He has to do his best, and he’s trying,” Guardiola said in a press conference on Friday afternoon.
“And when the team doesn’t win, it’s not belonging to one player. It’s for everything, everyone. Don’t apologise. Apologise to yourself and give everything.”
Offering his thoughts on the first-team squad’s decision to reimburse travelling fans for their ticket costs in the Arctic Circle, Guardiola added: “It’s one of the best group of captains that Man City has had since I’m here.
“Bernardo (Silva), Ruben (Dias), Rodri, Erling (Haaland) are extraordinary. Extraordinary! In many things, in many details, how they are close to the club, to the team, to do decisions for the best.”
City are seven points adrift of Premier League leaders Arsenal and cannot afford many more slip-ups between now and the end of the season if they are to usurp Mikel Arteta’s formidable Gunners and win a fifth league title in six seasons.
Matheus Nunes, Nico Gonzalez, John Stones, Ruben Dias and Josko Gvardiol will remain unavailable for Manchester City on Saturday, with new signing Guehi expected to start in central defence just five days after joining the club.