It is no secret that Erling Haaland is battling fatigue. Haaland’s performances have dropped recently and he does look in desperate need of a rest. Unfortunately for Manchester City, with Omar Marmoush absent for over a month due to his participation at AFCON with Egypt, Pep Guardiola hasn’t been able to give Haaland the rest he needs. Omar Marmoush has returned to the City squad and came off the bench during Manchester City’s recent 3-1 defeat to Bodø/Glimt. With Marmoush back he has an important role to play for Pep Guardiola’s side. City need him to give Haaland the rest he needs and add another dimension to Manchester City’s attack which has stagnated recently.
Pep Guardiola’s side has struggled in the final third in their past two matches. There has been a lack of life, so to speak, in Manchester City’s overall play. This stood out in City’s defeat against Manchester United last weekend. The performance of the City frontline was no exception at Old Trafford. City’s attack was a fraction more lively against Bodø/Glimt, but they weren’t anywhere near their best or at an acceptable level for a Pep Guardiola side.
It is hoped that the return of Antoine Semenyo can bring life and quality to City’s attack against Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday. Semenyo was ineligible to play in Manchester City’s defeat at the Aspmyra Stadion. Another player who can add life, intelligent runs, and a different dimension to Manchester City’s attacking play is Omar Marmoush.
It is too long a bow to draw to say that Manchester City have missed Omar Marmoush this season. The Egyptian international has barely featured for Pep Guardiola’s team this season. But as Haaland has struggled with fatigue and form, having Marmoush available gives Pep Guardiola another option to utilize up front. Marmoush has to make an impact when given the opportunity. Manchester City needs him to, and he needs to re-establish himself as a player that Pep Guardiola can rely on.
So far this season, Marmoush hasn’t hit the same heights that he did at the back end of last season. The Egyptian international scored vital goals which helped Manchester City secure UEFA Champions League qualification. This season he hasn’t reached the same heights. A knee injury and his participation at AFCON have held him back. With all of this now behind him, the hope is that Marmoush can put in the performances that Manchester City need to add another element to their play in the final third.
Marmoush should perhaps start against Wolves on Saturday.
Erling Haaland desperately needs a rest at some point. Perhaps that can come this weekend when Pep Guardiola’s side takes on Wolves at the Etihad. With Omar Marmoush available for selection and having been back training with his teammates for the past week, perhaps the time is now for Marmoush to start to give Haaland the rest he needs. Whether or not that is an option that Pep Guardiola decides to go with remains to be seen. But it does look to be a feasible option to consider, especially given how tired Haaland has looked and how his performances have dropped recently.
Omar Marmoush has an important role to play for Manchester City with his AFCON duties now complete. He is more than a backup to Haaland; Marmoush is a quality player in his own right. If Marmoush can fire, it will ease the pressure on Erling Haaland, and that would add an entirely different element to the City attack, which has struggled recently.
