Guardiola confident of Haaland revival if Man City 'play better'

Pep Guardiola believes Erling Haaland will find his form so long as the rest of his Manchester City team-mates raise their game but has not ruled out January transfer window signings as he looks to revive the Premier League champions' fortunes.City are enduring a slump unlike any Guardiola has known in his celebrated managerial career, having lost eight and won just one of their last 11 games in all competitions.The downturn has seen the usually prolific Haaland, a key figure while City were winning an unprecedented four successive Premier League titles, denied of service and chances while scoring just once in his last five appearances.Guardiola, however, said he had no interest in reverting to the 'false nine' system that he has used to good effect in the past. "I prefer to play with Erling," said Guardiola ahead of Saturday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa. "City have rarely ventured into the transfer market during the January window in Guardiola's eight years in charge but he accepts that policy could change this time around. "I don't know how many times in the last years we've gone into the winter -- maybe just Aymeric Laporte seven years ago.