Manchester City's Midwinter Malaise: A Deep Dive into the Champions' Struggles
As Manchester City's midwinter slump persists, with no league wins in 2026 so far, the spotlight intensifies on what exactly is going wrong at the Etihad. A recent 3-1 humbling by Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League, following a 2-0 loss to Manchester United, has exposed critical issues with injury, form, and leadership. The team's big players are under pressure to step up and steer the ship back on course, but the challenges run deep.
Rodri's Recovery Roadblocks: A Shadow of His Former Self
Rodri's performance in Norway highlighted a player still grappling with the aftermath of a serious knee injury that sidelined him for 18 months. In only his third start since returning on New Year's Day, the 29-year-old Spaniard appeared one-paced and ineffective, a stark contrast to the midfield dynamo he was before his anterior cruciate ligament rupture. Key moments in the Bodø defeat told the story: he was left static by Jens Petter Hauge for the third goal and received two yellow cards in quick succession, leading to a red card. Rodri had declared himself "ready to go" last week, but his struggles on the pitch suggest a longer road to full fitness and form.
Erling Haaland's Scoring Drought: A Rare Dry Spell
Erling Haaland's goal-scoring prowess has hit an unexpected lull, with his last non-penalty strike dating back a full month to a 3-0 win at West Ham. Since then, the 25-year-old has managed only one goal in eight games, including a failure to score in a 10-1 FA Cup rout of Exeter. After the defeat in his native Norway, Haaland admitted, "I don't have the answers," taking responsibility for his lack of output. Despite this, his overall record remains phenomenal: 20 goals in 22 Premier League games and six in seven Champions League appearances, totalling 26 in 31 matches across all competitions. Some suggest it might be time for a brief rest, allowing Omar Marmoush a chance to lead the line.
Pep Guardiola's Tactical Troubles: Searching for Solutions
In the freezing conditions of Aspmyra Stadion, Pep Guardiola seemed powerless to influence his team's fortunes, experimenting briefly with a wingback system that quickly fizzled out. Post-match, he cited a litany of issues, including missed chances, injuries, and illness affecting key players like Matheus Nunes. The absentee list for the Norway trip stretched to 11, including Josko Gvardiol, Rúben Dias, and John Stones, compounding City's woes. Guardiola noted that the team's tone was better against Bodø than in the derby loss, but the insipid nature of both defeats remains a major concern for the manager.
Phil Foden's Fading Influence: A Dip in Form
Phil Foden, once hailed as the "Stockport Iniesta," has seen his performance graph trend downward, resembling a shadow of his earlier-season brilliance. Substituted at half-time against United and removed after 70 minutes in Norway, Foden has not scored in over five weeks and last provided an assist eight days prior. With 10 goals and four assists in 30 appearances this season, his numbers are respectable but not enough to lift City out of their slump. The hope is that Foden, along with Rodri and Haaland, is merely experiencing a coincidental midwinter dip rather than a deeper malaise.
A Glimmer of Hope: Marc Guéhi's Arrival
Amid the gloom, City's £20m signing of Marc Guéhi offers a potential boost. The 25-year-old England defender, known for his calm demeanour and pace, could form a promising partnership with 21-year-old Abdukodir Khusanov, who has shown improvement in central defence. This duo might help mitigate the absences of Gvardiol and Dias, providing stability at the back as City aim to rediscover their form in the title, Champions League, and FA Cup races.
Ultimately, while Guardiola must solve these problems off the field, it falls to Foden and his teammates to lead on the grass. Without a turnaround, City risk falling out of contention come April and May, a scenario the manager dreads as he seeks to reignite their campaign.
