Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca plans rotation for Erling Haaland this season

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca intends to manage Erling Haaland's playing time throughout the 2026-27 campaign to mitigate fatigue and injury risks. Despite a strong start to the season with three goals in three appearances, the forward remains a focal point for the squad in both goal scoring and leadership. Matheus Nunes, who confirmed his own availability for the upcoming Champions League fixture against FC Porto, noted the growing influence of Haaland within the team's leadership group. Maresca acknowledged that relying on the striker for every minute is unsustainable, particularly given the long schedule ahead. The manager signaled that alternative tactical setups, including deploying Phil or Antoine in attacking roles, will be utilized to provide rest. This strategy aims to ensure the team remains competitive across all ongoing tournaments without overextending their primary goal scorer.

• 5:40 AMYahoo Sports — The influence of a key Manchester City figure continues to grow but he must be managed through the season