Manchester United aren’t the only side wrapped in gloom this week — their crosstown rivals are suffering too. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have now lost three matches in a row, a slump that would have seemed unthinkable twelve months ago.
The latest blow came in a 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, a result that has fans and pundits alike questioning what’s gone wrong at the Etihad. City, who have spent the better part of a decade as the Premier League’s dominant force, now find themselves searching for answers on and off the pitch.
Enzo Maresca — stepping into a high-pressure environment — looks increasingly burdened by the weight of expectation. Some have pointed to the lingering shadow of the club’s 114 charges from the Premier League’s financial regulations case as a factor sapping morale, though there’s no hard evidence the charges themselves are affecting on-field performance. What is clear is that the team’s usual swagger and control in midfield have been noticeably absent in recent weeks.
Erling Haaland, City’s talisman and one of the most clinical finishers in world football, has also seen his output dip. The Norwegian striker, known for his buzz-cut intensity and clockwork scoring record, hasn’t been his usual ruthless self in front of goal. Whether it’s fatigue, tactical adjustments from opposing defenses, or simply a rough patch, Haaland’s drop-off has coincided almost exactly with City’s slide down the table.
Social media has, predictably, had its fun — some fans joking that going fully bald might be the “reset button” Haaland needs to rediscover his scoring touch. Jokes aside, the reality is more serious: City’s title defense is now under genuine threat, and three straight losses is the kind of form that can define a season.
With a congested fixture list ahead and rivals circling, Guardiola will be under pressure to find solutions fast — both tactically and psychologically — if City are to turn this slump around before it becomes a crisis.