Pep Guardiola has defended Erling Haaland, who has borne the brunt of the blame for Manchester City's dismal run.
The Norwegian striker once again failed to score in City's defeat at Aston Villa, meaning he has scored just three goals in his last 12 Premier League games.
He has played the full 90 minutes in all but one match during City's dismal run of form, which has seen City win just one of 12 games and lose nine.
Guardiola spoke up for his striker in the aftermath of their sixth league defeat of the season, claiming his side would be 'even worse' without Haaland.
And Guardiola reiterated his comments on Christmas Eve, making a point of not highlighting the forward in what has been his worst spell in charge of the champions.
“It's about us, not just one player,” Guardiola said. “In the past, when we scored goals and Erling was so productive helping us, it was because of the team.
'If you have problems at the back, in the middle, it's for everyone, it's a team, it's not about one player. It would be easy, if it was just one player, the reason why. That's not what it's about.
'Erling is so important to us, will be so important to us, has been. (We have to) try to do things better, use him better.”
Haaland has scored 108 goals in 122 games since joining City in 2022, winning the Premier League's Golden Boot in his first two seasons.
However, the Norwegian's goal drought has seen him slip two goals behind Mohamed Salah in the league scoring charts this season.
While the majority of City stars have struggled since early November, Haaland was quick to take the majority of the blame following his side's defeat at Villa Park.
“It obviously affects us all,” Haaland said on Saturday. 'It affects me. I haven't been good enough and haven't performed for City this season.
“I have to step up and work harder, I just have to get better. It's just not good enough. I will do everything I can to do better.
'We can't win games anymore, we can't control games like we used to. We used to control matches a lot more.
'In the decisive moments I fail to score, in the decisive moments we concede goals. The margins are small and that's the way it is, I will do everything I can to turn this around.'
City will look to end their poor run when they face Everton on Boxing Day, and Guardiola is hopeful his side can rediscover the mojo that has led them to a host of successes since he walked through the door in 2016.
“In this situation, this tendency is for all of us (to say) 'the reason why is this, and this and this.' It's about us, about everyone,” Guardiola added.
“The boys are running and putting in more effort than ever. The whole “it's because we don't run, because we don't fight, it's because this situation or this player or this manager” trend. That's not what it's about.
'It's a lot of small details or big details that mean that all in all it's not as good as we are. But we still have a chance on Boxing Day.'
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