Pep Guardiola has explained his decision to leave Erling Haaland and Phil Foden out of Manchester City's starting line-up for the visit of Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Etihad Stadium.
The City manager made several changes for the Premier League encounter, with Omar Marmoush and Antoine Semenyo coming into the attack. Bernardo Silva captains the side, while Marc Guehi makes his debut and Matheus Nunes returns. Rico Lewis, Rayan Ait-Nouri and Max Alleyne drop out.
Speaking to Sky Sports before kick-off, Guardiola said of Haaland: "I decide for now it is a lot of games, clean his mind, his body. And yeah, the selection is always good and I believe today's is the best." On Foden, he added: "He maintains, a little bit, broken his bones, but he has protection, and he is fine." Foden broke his hand during the Manchester derby last weekend and was withdrawn at half-time.
Both players started in the midweek 3-1 Champions League defeat to Bodo/Glimt, with Haaland playing all 90 minutes and Foden substituted after 70 minutes. Guardiola had said on Monday that Haaland was fit, adding: "He said to me he slept unbelievably, so he is fit."
Former striker Clinton Morrison expressed surprise at Haaland's absence, saying: "I don't care if he has scored one goal in eight games, he's the best striker in the Premier League and I know when you are creating chances, he will put the ball in the back of the net." He added that Guardiola may have one eye on the upcoming Galatasaray match, but stressed the Wolves game is massive.
