Enzo Maresca has already admitted Erling Haaland cannot play every minute for City this season. Tonight’s Champions League opener in Porto gives him an interesting early decision to make.
Haaland has played every minute of City’s opening three Premier League games, scoring three goals along the way. He also reached 300 club goals with the winner against Coventry on Saturday.
There is then the small matter of United at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Does Maresca rest Haaland in Porto?
Maresca said after the Coventry victory that City need to protect Haaland over a long season and there will be games when he needs to recover.
“Depends on the game and gameplan,” said the City boss when asked when those rests might come.
That certainly doesn’t mean Haaland will be left out tonight. Porto have started the season strongly and the Estádio do Dragão is not the most obvious place to start taking liberties in the Champions League.
Maresca spoke on Monday night about the difficulty of the game and City’s official Porto preview confirms the Portuguese side head into it after winning their opening five league matches.
If Haaland does get a breather at some stage, we already have a decent idea who could replace him. Maresca confirmed last week that Antoine Semenyo can operate through the middle following Omar Marmoush’s departure.
Haaland’s importance hardly needs explaining. He scored the winner against Coventry and has three goals from three in the league, while UEFA’s Champions League profile underlines the rather ridiculous European record he brings into another campaign.
You can find all the latest team news and broadcast details in our Porto v City How to Watch guide.
Whether Maresca decides tonight is the moment to give his No.9 a rest is another matter. With Porto away followed by United away, his first proper test of Haaland management has arrived fairly quickly.
For updates on City throughout the season, take a look at our LIVE! Premier League 2026/27 News, Transfers, Updates & Viral Moments page.
