Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola wants the club to better use Erling Haaland and get the best out of the Norwegian striker. Haaland has scored 13 goals in 17 matches of the ongoing Premier League and has provided one assist.

After a 2-1 loss against Aston Villa, Haaland had taken the blame on his shoulders and said he needed to be better for the team as he isn’t taking his chances. Guardiola, on the other hand, feels a collective effort is the need of the hour for struggling Manchester City.

“It’s about us, it’s not just about one playing. When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team,” Guardiola told a news conference ahead of City’s match against Everton on Boxing Day.

“Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better.

“The reason why is this one and this one and this one. It is about us, about everyone. The guys are running more than ever. Many little details and big details make us not as good as we were.”

Haaland has failed to bring his best in the last 13 matches as he has scored only four goals.

“First, I’m looking at myself,” Haaland, 24, told TNT Sports after loss against Villa. “I haven’t been doing things good enough, I haven’t been scoring my chances. I have to do better, I haven’t been good enough.

“Of course, our confidence is not the best. We know how important confidence is and you can see that it affects every human being. That is how it is, we have to continue and stay positive even though it is difficult.”

Meanwhile, Éderson, Matheus Nunes, and John Stones are all in doubt for the match against Everton.

Manchester City will next take on Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday.