Why Erling Haaland started for Man City against Exeter as Pep Guardiola plan clear

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about Erling Haaland ahead of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle

Pep Guardiola said Erling Haaland has had the chances to score more than he has managed in recent matches after starting him in the FA Cup win over Exeter. The League One side weren't the only one shocked to see Manchester City's No.9 on the teamsheet for Saturday's game, and he played 45 minutes without scoring in the 10-1 victory before being replaced.

Guardiola had said before the game that his senior stars had to get back to winning ways after three successive Premier League draws - all of them games where they had not taken enough of the chances they created to merit more than a point out of each match. Haaland's only goal since the West Ham game the week before Christmas has been a penalty against Brighton, and his frustrations continued in front of goal against Exeter with another scoreless performance.

City's manager knows that Haaland will be there to take the opportunities that come his way - even with one goal in his last five he has still scored 25 this season - but indicated that his plan against Exeter was always to give him 45 minutes to make sure that he was in the right rhythm as the Blues look ahead to a pivotal month in four competitions.

“He’s had a lot of chances. And that’s what we have to do – try to create chances for him and then in the right moment always he will be there," he said.

“I preferred him to play 45 minutes – it didn’t really matter about the result. Just play 45 minutes. He trained the day after. Erling is a guy who needs rhythm and that’s why.”

Haaland has achieved a lot in his career so far but a Carabao Cup has so far eluded him, and there are few left in the City squad who were part of the all-conquering side that won four in a row between 2017 and 2021. A summer of change at the end of last season means that Guardiola believes he has a new group that need to learn success.

The Carabao Cup was Guardiola's first trophy in English football and while it didn't exactly spark what was to come - City were well on their way to the Premier League title and 100 points at the time - it helped to set the example for a club that would relentlessly chase every competition they were in. Tuesday's semi-final with Newcastle is a chance for the latest City team to show that they are capable of winning silverware.

"It's not a lot, but it helps," said Guardiola. "It helps with the fact that okay, we won one title, we won something. It's not so much for the lifting of the silverware but more to be self aware and okay, we won. We are able to do it.

"When you win it helps to win more, more, more. Not as a routine, but okay we have done it. A player says if I've done it, I can do it again. When you play in Bernabeu or Camp Nou or certain places, when you play many times you are better. It's a question of process.

"As much as you play finals and semi-finals, it helps for the future of that club. As much as we can play good in these types of games, we will be better."