Erling Haaland given unusual Pep Guardiola challenge after Man City frustration

Pep Guardiola wants Erling Haaland to relax as he slips back into the Manchester City team.

Haaland scored his first goals since November when he bagged two in the last 20 minutes of the Everton game, but the Manchester City manager was not happy with the body language that he saw from his striker. As the hosts struggled to break their opponents down and gave Haaland little to go off, Guardiola wanted more patience up front.

The two goals will have helped Haaland to settle and as much as the manager does not want to forget how young his No.9 is he does not want his No.9 to forget what else he brings to the team. Many eyes will be on the 23-year-old in Scandinavia on Tuesday and he has to know that his role in the team doesn't have to include goals.

ALSO READ: FC Copenhagen use Man United for Man City confidence after 63-day break

ALSO READ: Pep Guardiola can see a Man City mentality that can monster the Champions League

"Erling is young, playing in the most difficult position on the pitch surrounded by four or five players with minor space. In the first half maybe we didn’t have the special delivery players, like Kevin for example, who can find him," said Guardiola.

"In that moment, because he is so young, in that moment he has to be positive. It will come. When he scored a goal, he reacted but he doesn't need to score because he helps us for many things. Not just score a goal.

"He is defined on goals but it is not just that, as much as so many games it’s how he is clapping, encouraging his mates and the first intense press. This is what we need from Erling.

"We cannot forget he has been two months out, which is a lot of time with a guy who is so tall. Back to [his] dynamic is not easy and he's a huge competitor