Manchester City striker Erling Haaland had not started a game since the goalless draw against Borussia Dortmund last month due to an injury.

After coming off the bench to score in the 2-1 victory over Fulham last weekend, Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola opted to start our star striker against Brentford.

Explaining his decision to start Haaland against Brentford, Guardiola told BT Sport:”They [Brentford] make high pressing, normally man-to-man in our build-up.

“When you are able to break this pressure they defend so deep, so well, closing the space inside, they allow you to go outside, and from there you have to make good runners.

“The way they defend, we decide for the players [sic] more runners in the box, that play more passes. Because Phil [Foden], Gundogan are really good in this process, Kevin [De Bruyne] as well. We need Erling [Haaland] in this process just in case they defend so deep. So this is why we select these type of players for they way they defend.”