Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking forward to Sunday's trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool, allowing some key players to rest during Tuesday's 0-0 Champions League draw against FC Copenhagen.

City were bright early and had chances to take the lead, with a disallowed goal in the 11th minute and a saved penalty from Riyad Mahrez in the 25th, before Sergio Gomez was shown a straight red card that changed the game.

After controlling 66 per cent of the possession in a comfortable first half, that figure dipped to 46 per cent after the break as Copenhagen found a foothold into the game and fought hard for their point.

Speaking after the match, where star striker Erling Haaland was rested and starting midfielders Phil Foden and Bernardo Silva were only used as late substitutes, Guardiola said the compressed schedule with multiple games per week had finally started to catch up to some players.

"Many players didn’t start today because they were really, really, exhausted, tired and fatigued and had some niggles," he said.

"Erling [Haaland] didn’t feel very good after the game against Southampton, Phil [Foden] had some problems, Bernardo [Silva] was so tired yesterday, he told us. 

"The players, they feel better and I of course, didn’t want to take a risk. Of course, it was so important, but when we have nine points already in our pocket, we need one more game to qualify mathematically, ok we took one point, we played for that and we started really well. 

"We cannot deny how well we played for the first minutes, knowing that it’s difficult. Their defence is so deep and well-organised and after that, those situations, the goal disallowed, the penalty, the sending off, the game changed, especially playing almost for an hour 10 against 11."

When asked if this is a perfect time to face Liverpool – coming off a loss to Arsenal and with one fewer day of rest after they play Rangers on Wednesday – Guardiola said form goes out the window in fixtures this big.

"It’s the scale of the fixture when you have to go to Anfield," he said. "It’s not about how you arrive, good or bad, you have to perform every time. 

"We have four days [to prepare] – we travel right now, tomorrow we have regeneration, one day off, clear our minds, because for one or two weeks we’ve not had a day off with a game every three days, and after that we’ll prepare the game against Liverpool."

Pep Guardiola turned his attention to winning Champions League Group G when Manchester City face Borussia Dortmund after a goalless draw at Copenhagen.

Sergio Gomez was sent off for a professional foul on Hakon Haraldsson after Riyad Mahrez had a penalty saved by Kamil Grabara in an eventful first half as City's six-match winning run came to an end.

Rodri's rasping long-range strike was disallowed for a Mahrez handball before the Algeria winger failed to convert his spot-kick.

Despite failing to maintain their 100 per cent record, the Premier League champions are nevertheless through to the round of 16 after Sevilla failed to beat Borussia Dortmund later on Wednesday.

Guardiola, who kept Erling Haaland on the bench, was impressed with the way City coped with being a man down and is eager to ensure it is mission accomplished when they take on second-placed Dortmund on October 25.

The City manager told BT Sport: "We started really well with 11, then we had an hour and 10 minutes to hang on.

"With 10 [men] without the ball we were clever, we didn't push much. [It's] a good point."

He added: "Now we have to go to Dortmund to try and secure the first position."

It was a busy first half for referee Artur Dias, who ruled Rodri's goal out following a VAR check before also needing to consult the pitchside monitor to award City a spot-kick and dismiss Gomez.

Rodri said of his disallowed goal: "A bit frustrating, of course. No one realised what is happening, they said it was a handball, I don't know if it was intentional. It was a mess.

"Then we had a penalty, we miss, then the red card and it completely changes the game."

Pep Guardiola credited Erling Haaland for his rapid adaptation to Manchester City's style of play, claiming the Norwegian has become more involved in their build-up in recent weeks.

Haaland has scored 20 goals in just 13 appearances for City since his move from Borussia Dortmund, including five in three Champions League outings.

The Norwegian hit a brace in a 5-0 home victory over Copenhagen in the competition last week and will likely play a central role when City look to confirm their place in the knockout stages by winning Tuesday's return fixture in Denmark. 

Speaking on the eve of that game, Guardiola compared Haaland's recent displays to his first few outings with City, hailing the 22-year-old for improving his all-round contribution. 

Asked how Haaland had adapted to City's style, Guardiola said: "If this happened, it works so far. Of course, we adapt a little bit, he adapts… we got to know each other on and off the pitch.

"But he settled perfectly and quickly because he's a nice guy, he understands things quickly. We know we have an incredible threat with him, and at the same time he knows what he has to do. When this happens, situations come easily.

"He's absolutely one of the best, no doubt about that. I had many strikers, they were all very, very good and Erling is one of them. The numbers speak for themselves.

"At an early age, how many goals he has in the Champions League, in Norway, Austria, Germany and now England… I speak a lot about him, but sometimes I should not say anything and just look at the numbers, it would be enough.

"Against Bournemouth [in August], I remember he was not involved much in the game, now he's much, much more involved, not just to score the goals. 

"We know when he arrives in the final third or the box, he has a special instinct to know where the ball is going to finish and put it in the net. That's why he's an exceptional striker."

Haaland has scored a remarkable 28 goals in 22 Champions League games during his career. His next goal in the competition will see him equal the tallies of David Trezeguet (in 58 appearances) and Patrick Kluivert (71 appearances).

The striker will be one of few elite players to get a prolonged break during the middle of the season, with Norway having failed to qualify for the World Cup.

However, Guardiola says the tournament will not influence any decision to rest Haaland in the future, adding: "No, I don't think about selection thinking about the World Cup. 

"The national trainers will decide how to handle the players when they get there. They don't think about us, we don't think about them. 

"[On Tuesday], I'm going to decide the selection. I have to speak with the players, the doctors and physios, and decide what's best. We'll see."

Riyad Mahrez declared Erling Haaland is "on fire" and Pep Guardiola labelled the new Manchester City talisman "an incredible weapon" after the striker scored once more against Southampton.

Joao Cancelo, Phil Foden and Mahrez all struck past former City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu on Saturday, before Haaland coolly converted in the 65th minute to cap a 4-0 victory.

That marked his 15th Premier League goal in just nine games this season, as many strikes as Kevin De Bruyne managed in the entire last campaign when he finished as City's top league scorer in a championship-winning team.

Mahrez hailed his Norwegian team-mate after Haaland became just the second City player to score in seven successive Premier League appearances, after Sergio Aguero.

"It was a difficult game, we made it easy by scoring early and then we controlled," the Algeria international told BBC Sport.

"We had a lot of chances to score more, but we didn't. We didn't concede much, it was a controlled game.

"Haaland is part of our team, he is our striker. Like any other striker, if we can find him it's perfect because he is on fire. If not, there are a lot of players and everyone can make a difference."

City have now won their last nine home league games, scoring at least three goals each time, and moved to the top-flight summit by overtaking Arsenal, who play Liverpool on Sunday.

Manager Guardiola echoed the sentiments of Mahrez as he credited the exploits of free-scoring Haaland, while he pinpointed the early stages of the title race as significant heading towards the World Cup break in November.

"Last season we suffered a lot against them, but today we were much better," Guardiola told BBC Sport, referring to two league draws last term against Southampton.

"Some players were not at their best, but we create a lot of chances. We were solid.

"For a long time Phil Foden is playing really good. The impact from him is great. Erling Haaland had the chances again. He scored a brilliant goal. It's an incredible weapon for us, a big threat.

"We will see the result from Arsenal and Liverpool, always in Premier League there are good games. Being close to the top of the league is important going into the World Cup."

By contrast, Southampton have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League away games – the longest current league run and the worst such streak in Saints' history in the competition.

Southampton sit just a point above the relegation zone, leading to increasing speculation that Ralph Hasenhuttl will be dismissed.

"I will not be here next week, because next week we play at home," manager Hasenhuttl said when asked about his future. "It is not my decision to make.

"Since I've come here, and it's been nearly four years now, we have been fighting for results. The problem is not here today, it's from other weeks where we did not get enough points."

Erling Haaland continued his remarkable scoring run as Manchester City climbed above Arsenal at the Premier League summit after a commanding 4-0 victory over Southampton.

City soon eased into the ascendancy at Etihad Stadium as Joao Cancelo and Manchester derby hat-trick hero Phil Foden struck in a first half where a tepid Southampton offered little.

Riyad Mahrez stretched the advantage after the break before Haaland collected his 15th league goal, as many as Kevin De Bruyne managed when finishing as City's top scorer in the competition last term.

Pep Guardiola's team moved two points clear of Arsenal, who play Liverpool on Sunday, after their ninth straight home win in the league, scoring at least three goals in each of those games.

Former City goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu parried away a fizzing Mahrez half-volley, while Haaland struck the left post after a Foden throughball in a frantic start.

Cancelo broke the deadlock in the 20th minute as he twisted past James Ward-Prowse before drilling a left-footed strike past Bazunu, who then denied Foden on the half-hour mark.

However, there was no stopping Foden shortly after as the England international delicately chipped over the onrushing Bazunu following De Bruyne's pass.

Mahrez volleyed in a third goal from Rodri's lofted cross shortly after half-time, before City had a penalty appeal turned down for what they thought was a Mohammed Salisu pull on Haaland.

Southampton could not keep Haaland quiet for much longer, with their new talisman converting into the bottom-left corner in the 65th minute after Cancelo's cutback.

What does it mean? City dominant as Saints away woes continue

A 6-3 humbling of Manchester United and a 5-0 victory in Europe over Copenhagen were backed up in dominant fashion by City against Southampton, with Guardiola's side showing no signs of relenting.

While a tougher task will follow at Anfield against Liverpool next week, City continue to sweep aside opponents at will as they search for a fifth top-flight crown in the last six seasons.

Meanwhile, Southampton's away struggles persist, and boss Ralph Hasenhuttl is under serious pressure now. They are without a clean sheet in their last 19 Premier League away games – both the longest current run in the league and their worst such streak in the competition.

De Bruyne makes history

De Bruyne has been in incredible form throughout the start of this season and picked up yet another assist after teeing up Foden – the ninth goal the Belgium international has set up in as many Premier League games this season.

The simple throughball for Foden also marked De Bruyne's 94th assist in the Premier League for City, surpassing David Silva for the most goals created for the club in the competition.

Haaland is human

Haaland has taken to life in England with ridiculous ease, scoring 20 goals in 13 games across all competitions and breaking numerous records along the way.

After just nine Premier League games, the striker needs just one more goal to surpass City's top scorer last season, De Bruyne, which is frankly astonishing.

He missed a few chances here, though, and looked on in disbelief when his shot that rattled the left post did not bounce into the net off the upright.

What's next?

City head to Copenhagen to play in the Champions League on Tuesday, before the crunch clash at Liverpool arrives next Sunday, when Southampton host West Ham.

Pep Guardiola is backing Xabi Alonso to make a success of his big break at Bayer Leverkusen.

Former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich midfielder Alonso was named head coach of the Bundesliga team on Wednesday.

It is the 40-year-old's most prominent role since retiring from playing in 2017, since when he has been building towards a top job, spending three years as coach of Real Sociedad B.

Like Guardiola, Alonso's playing career was spent largely as a deep-sitting central midfielder. Both men played for Spain, with Guardiola earning 47 caps and Alonso representing his country 114 times.

Alonso won a World Cup and two European Championships in Spain's golden era of success from 2008 to 2012, a period which coincided with Guardiola's reign as Barcelona boss.

He later played for Guardiola at Bayern Munich, where Alonso made a great impression on his compatriot and coach.

"He was an exceptional holding midfielder, and when you are an exceptional holding midfielder you have to understand the game," Guardiola said on Friday.

"He reads perfectly, and he's a lovely, lovely person."

Speaking at Manchester City's regular Friday press conference, Guardiola sent best wishes to Alonso, whose Leverkusen side face Schalke in the Bundesliga on Saturday.

Leverkusen sit 17th in the 18-team league, winning one of eight games in the competition so far, form that saw Alonso's predecessor Gerardo Seoane sacked.

They have finished in the top six in each of the last five seasons, and 12 of the last 13 campaigns, so the club's standards are high.

Now Alonso steps in, and Guardiola said: "It's an incredible opportunity. He goes to the Bundesliga, a league that he knows quite well.

"It's a really good team in the Bundesliga, prestigious, still playing Champions League, I wish him the best, and hopefully he can do the job."

Leverkusen have failed to win any of their first four home games of a Bundesliga season (D1, L3) for the first time ever. The Schalke game comes at the BayArena, giving Alonso the chance to immediately halt that dismal run.

It happens that Leverkusen have only had more Bundesliga wins against Stuttgart (39) than they have achieved against Schalke (34), with Alonso's new team unbeaten in their past six league clashes with Die Konigsblauen (W4, D2).

Pep Guardiola is ready to freeze Ilkay Gundogan out of his Manchester City plans – until the captain brings his wife to eat at the manager's top table.

Sara Gundogan this week complained about the cuisine on offer in Manchester, saying there was "horrible food everywhere".

She even claimed it was a struggle to find anything fresh, suggesting restaurants were using frozen food and had an obsession with making money from selling high-priced drinks.

The comments on Instagram made the front page of a major tabloid newspaper and did not go down well among Manchester's restaurateurs.

Guardiola owns an eatery in the city himself, a Spanish tapas spot.

When asked about the remarks from the City midfielder's wife, Guardiola initially appeared to agree with her stance, saying: "It is right."

Amused by the topic, he quickly changed tack to jokingly add: "I'm disappointed she still didn't [try] my restaurant. That is what is annoying me. Gundo's not going to play one more minute...

"I'm going to invite her, and Gundo as well, to go to Tast. Of course they're going to eat properly."

Pep Guardiola will never get sick of talking about Erling Haaland, but he insists comparisons to Lionel Messi are unwelcome.

The Manchester City boss has promised striker Haaland a holiday during the World Cup, because Norway have not qualified, and he may need a break in any case after a breathless start to his career in England.

Haaland has a staggering 14 goals from eight Premier League games already, and Mohamed Salah's record of 32 goals in a 38-game season already looks under serious threat. Kevin De Bruyne was City's top league scorer last season with 15.

Former Borussia Dortmund striker Haaland has stayed healthy and the goals have flowed, just as City's title rivals feared they would.

At this rate, Haaland could finish the season with the sort of haul Messi often brought in for Barcelona during his prime years, regularly scoring more than 50 across all competitions.

Guardiola has been fortunate to coach them both, and he was asked whether the attention foisted on Haaland was the most he has known since having Messi under his wing at Barcelona.

"The people who compare Erling with Leo, I think we don't help," Guardiola said. "How many 'new Messis' appeared in the world of football since I started? Ten, 15?

"Always you fail. Erling has to do his own career, his own job. He's a different player."

Guardiola pointed to the number of times he is asked about Haaland. He also suggested that within other teams, such focus on a big-time player might cause unrest.

"For me, it's OK," Guardiola said. "We're fortunate that the guys who are here accept it perfectly. At other clubs, other people, would not like it.

"Here they are delighted. We have Kevin [De Bruyne] who is an exceptional person and is happy to have him, because both know they can be better playing alongside [each other].

"The same for all of them. We don't have incredible players who say, 'Why do they always talk about just him?'.

"This is why it's a joy to train this type of players."

Guardiola said he would rather Haaland was playing at the World Cup.

"But he's young, and he'll have an opportunity in four years," added the City boss. "Fans want to see the best players possible and Erling is one of them." 

With three hat-tricks in his last three Premier League home games, capped by last week's treble against Manchester United, Haaland is on a special streak.

Southampton visit the Etihad Stadium on Saturday, and while they held City to home and away draws last season, that was before Haaland arrived.

City are the only unbeaten team in the Premier League, following Tottenham's defeat to Arsenal last week, and have won their last eight home games in the competition, scoring three or more goals each time.

Aston Villa were the last team to have a longer run of top-flight home wins while scoring three-plus goals in each game, putting a run of 13 together between December 1930 and September 1931.

Perhaps City will threaten that mark, if Haaland stays fit and in form. Guardiola is bewitched by his striker's movement and how he reads play.

"It's just the fact there's a deflection, and he's there. Why does the ball finish where he is?" said the Spaniard.

"What can I teach? It's complete instincts, it's natural. He did it in Norway, in Austria, in Germany, and he's doing it here."

And yet Guardiola still feels Haaland can improve.

"Every player knows, 'I can do better'," said Guardiola. "In our life we have a chance to always improve until we die, and he's not an exception."

Guardiola is not blind to the potential for Haaland to break records this season.

"It would be good," Guardiola said. "If he continues this rhythm, then you don't have to be a clever person to realise it, but who knows.

"After the Community Shield some people had a lot of doubts; now they have a lot of certainties.

"At the end of the season we'll see, okay, he's scored how many goals, how many chances have we had to win the titles?"

Kyle Walker's availability for the World Cup is up in the air after Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola declared the England right-back suffered an abdominal injury that will keep him out "for a while".

Walker, 32, was substituted in the first half of City's 6-3 derby win against Manchester United on Sunday after making his seventh start from his side's eight Premier League fixtures this campaign.

He also started four of England's six UEFA Nations League games since the beginning of June, resulting in three defeats and a draw.

However, Walker is now set for "weeks" on the sidelines in the shadows of the World Cup, according to Guardiola.

"[He will be out] for a while," he told reporters following City's 5-0 Champions League thrashing of Copenhagen on Wednesday. "I don't know exactly, but weeks.

"Something abdominal, so he will be a while. We don't know how long. Maybe the club will make a statement in the next day, but for a while he will be out.

"I don't know [about availability for the World Cup]. I cannot say anything else, I don't know."

Pep Guardiola has denied claims Erling Haaland has a release clause in his Manchester City contract that would allow him to join Real Madrid on favourable terms.

Haaland has been outstanding since joining City from Borussia Dortmund at the start of the season, netting twice against Copenhagen on Wednesday to take his tally to an astonishing 19 in 12 games.

But before that game, Fernando Sanz – a former Madrid player and later the president of Malaga – had suggested Haaland's deal had an "exit clause" with "very beneficial conditions" for Los Blancos.

Haaland joined City after they activated a clause in his Dortmund contract, but Guardiola insisted after the Copenhagen game there was no truth in the claim.

"It's not true," he told reporters. "He has not got a release clause for Real Madrid or any other team. It's not true. That's all I can say.

"Absolutely not [it is not annoying]. There are rumours and people talk, and you cannot control it. We always have to worry about what we can control.

"The important thing is he can adapt really well, I have the feeling he is happy here. We tried with him and all of them, the people who stayed here, and made them happy. This is the most important thing.

"At the end, what's going to happen in the future? Who knows it? Nobody knows it.

"What's important is he's happy and settled perfectly and incredibly loved by everyone. This is the most important thing."

Haaland was substituted at half-time in the 5-0 win at Copenhagen, missing the chance to score another hat-trick after three in his past three home Premier League games.

Guardiola said the change was not planned, as he explained: "He played a lot of minutes three days ago, the game was under control, and Cole Palmer [his replacement] is an excellent player, a top-class player.

"If the game was tight, Erling would continue to play. But it was better to rest and to think of Southampton, a team we were not able to beat last season. Hopefully this season we can do it."

Guardiola added: "Erling Haaland, what does he want? The same as us; to win the game. He made the hat-tricks to win the games."

Of the performance, in which an own goal, a Riyad Mahrez penalty and Julian Alvarez's close-range finish added to Haaland's double, Guardiola said: "Today we see the reason why these years were really, really successful at this club.

"After Man United, 6-3, a lot of compliments, a lot of nice things, we were able to be humble enough to respect the opponent like every team we play. This is the secret of this team."

Copenhagen coach Jacob Neestrup said his team "have to improve" but accepted: "There was not anything we could do to City.

"There were of course things we could always do better, but we just need to accept we were playing against the best team in the world right now. They are several levels above us."

Erling Haaland "will have a break", Pep Guardiola assured the media after his Manchester derby heroics. Just not yet, it seems.

Concerns around the amount of football Haaland has played since signing for Manchester City are understandable.

Heading into this week's Champions League matches, team-mate Joao Cancelo was the sole outfield player in the Premier League to play more minutes than Haaland across all competitions this season.

Cancelo and Haaland are two of three players – the other being goalkeeper Ederson – to start every City match. Named in the line-up once more against Copenhagen on Wednesday, Haaland made his 12th start in City colours; his 12th of last season, playing at Borussia Dortmund, did not come until December.

Indeed, Haaland had already sustained a thigh injury this time a year ago, and only returned briefly before another lay-off with a hip problem.

Guardiola is well aware of those issues, though, describing City as "lucky" to have "incredible physios".

"Last season, he could not play many games," the City manager said after the 6-3 win over Manchester United. "He was injured all the time."

He added: "Dortmund couldn't do it [keep Haaland fit], and we can do it. That is fantastic for us. That is why I thank them [the medical staff]."

And if there is no immediate risk of injury, of course Guardiola wants to keep sending his superstar striker out to put opponents to the sword.

After two goals in the 5-0 defeat of Copenhagen, Haaland has 19 in those 12 matches. Riyad Mahrez (24) was the only City player to score more in all competitions in the entirety of last season.

City already possessed the best team in England, blessed with a vast array of supreme talents, but Haaland is now the undoubted star of the show.

Ahead of kick-off on Wednesday, his goals in the warm-up were cheered louder than any other player's, as was his name as the line-ups were announced.

It was with some inevitability then that Haaland's first touch following kick-off was the opener, steered past Kamil Grabara, who wisely didn't bother to move.

"Who else?" asked the Etihad Stadium's public announcer, as if the role of confirming the goalscorer was even needed.

Haaland spoke last month of his "dream" to score five goals from just five touches – an ambition that does not tally with Guardiola's outlook on the game, as he replied on Sunday: "I don't like that. I want him involved. He can touch the ball many more times."

But Haaland remained as efficient as ever, his second touch a pass to the outstanding Jack Grealish, who in turn found Bernardo Silva for a shot that struck the post.

That was one of only three passes Haaland made in the first half, yet he was involved in everything, attempting four shots.

Perhaps the loudest roar of the night from the Copenhagen fans followed a tackle that robbed Haaland of the ball on halfway. It provided only momentary cheer, though, as the City number nine tapped in a simple second soon enough.

The only way the overmatched visitors could prevent Haaland scoring yet another hat-trick was by themselves prodding beyond Grabara – Davit Khocholava turning in an own goal for the third with Haaland waiting right behind him.

If Guardiola had no sympathy for Copenhagen when he removed Haaland at the break – assuming his words had not cursed the forward with an injury – perhaps he was thinking of poor Julian Alvarez.

The Argentina international's second City start had been overshadowed by Haaland just as his first had, when Alvarez scored two against Nottingham Forest but his team-mate netted three.

There were glimpses of a partnership forming as Haaland's pressing led to a chance from which Alvarez could not get a shot away, but in 235 minutes on the pitch together across seven matches, they have traded just four passes and are yet to combine for a goal – Haaland creating a single chance for Alvarez.

Alvarez is much more like the type of forward City fans have been used to watching under Guardiola – diminutive and busy, but not as clinical as Haaland. Admittedly, few, if any, are.

A second-half penalty was dispatched by Mahrez, with Alvarez watching on when Haaland surely would have snatched the ball for his hat-trick, while the former River Plate man later became the second City player to hit the post from a Grealish pass.

Finally, after another wonderful Grealish run and then a cutback from Mahrez, Alvarez converted the fifth when he simply could not miss in front of an open goal – reward at the end of a slightly frustrating night, if such a thing exists in a 5-0 victory.

Regardless, unless Haaland's injury woes are gone for good, Alvarez will get further chances in the coming months.

But for now, fear for Southampton, who face Haaland on Saturday coming off a 45-minute rest – his longest of the season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola says no player in world football can compete with the standards set by Erling Haaland at his age as he challenged the striker to continue improving.

Haaland made history on Sunday by becoming the first player to score hat-tricks in three successive home Premier League matches as City thumped rivals Manchester United 6-3.

The Norway international has 17 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions since arriving at the Etihad Stadium from Borussia Dortmund, where he tallied a prolific 86 goals in 89 games.

Aged 22 years and 47 days, Haaland last month overtook Kylian Mbappe as the youngest player to net 25 Champions League goals, also doing so in the quickest time (20 games).

And Guardiola believes "the numbers speak for themselves" when it comes to Haaland, who will be looking to add to his growing tally in Wednesday's Champions League Group G tie with Copenhagen.

"At his age no one can compete with him. No one," Guardiola said. "We are very happy to have him. In training he is the same – sometimes he does some spectacular things. We are incredibly happy to have him."

Haaland is averaging a goal every 48 minutes in the Premier League, which is the best rate of anyone to have scored more than once in the competition's history.

He has found the net from 42 per cent of his shots (14 goals from 33 attempts) – the best conversion rate of any player with at least 20 efforts since such records were first recorded in the 2003-04 campaign.

Phil Foden, himself aged just 22, scored a hat-trick of his own in the derby thrashing of United and received strong plaudits from his manager. 

"He's an exceptional player who has grown up a lot," Guardiola said at Tuesday's pre-Copenhagen press conference. 

"He's reliable, so intense and clever in everything he does. He can also play every three days. Both he and Haaland know they can do better and hopefully they can do it."

City's win against United was their fourth in a row in all competitions as they extended their unbeaten run to 11 matches.

The reigning English champions are top of their Champions League group thanks to wins over Sevilla and Borussia Dortmund, whereas Copenhagen have just one point and have yet to score.

Indeed, the Danish side have only scored one goal in six Champions League matches against English opponents, with that goal the winner from Marcus Allback in a 1-0 win over United in November 2006.

But with many predicting a routine home victory on Wednesday, Guardiola admits he faces a challenge ensuring his players maintain their high standards no matter who the opposition.

"That's the problem. After the game versus United, it's the biggest issue," said Guardiola, who confirmed Kyle Walker will play no part due to injury. 

"Hopefully I can show them to pay lots of attention. It's not easy to break the structure [Copenhagen] had against Sevilla. I know exactly what they are able to do. 

"They have quality. From goal-kicks, when they have the ball, they don't just play it long. They have courage to play and we have to force them to play long balls. I was surprised how many things they do."

Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as a born goalscorer after he claimed another hat-trick in Manchester City's derby rout of Manchester United, declaring: "what he is doing, I didn't teach him".

Haaland continued his fine start to life in England by playing a central role in City's 6-3 win over United, clinching a treble and adding two assists for fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden.

The Norwegian – who has already hit 17 goals in all competitions this season – became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games on Sunday.

His tally of five goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile, is the most recorded by a player in a single Premier League Manchester Derby.

Guardiola refused to take credit for the striker's form after the win, saying: "I said it many times and I will say again – what Erling is doing, he did in Norway, Austria and Germany.

"The quality we have alongside him helps him score, but what he is doing, I didn't teach him.

"He has incredible instincts. It comes from his mum and dad. He was born with that."

As well as laying on two goals for Foden, Haaland created a game-high four chances on Sunday, and Guardiola was delighted by the quality of his link-up play.

"I have had incredible centre-forwards in my career," Guardiola continued. "What I liked was in the last period of the game, he was involved. I want him to be involved.

"He became a player to score goals, but I want him in contact with the ball. I like him being part of those situations.

"But of course, he has to put the ball in the net, and he is a fantastic striker." 

Haaland has started all 11 of City's competitive games this term, and Guardiola plans to offer him the opportunity to rest at some point. 

"He will take a break. There will be games he is not going to play," he said.

"We are lucky, last season he could not play many games in a row – here we have incredible physios and thanks to them, he can play every 90 minutes.

"They are so important – with their hands, they allow players to play."

Pep Guardiola described Erling Haaland as a born goalscorer after he claimed another hat-trick in Manchester City's derby rout of Manchester United, declaring: "what he is doing, I didn't teach him".

Haaland continued his fine start to life in England by playing a central role in City's 6-3 win over United, clinching a treble and adding two assists for fellow hat-trick hero Phil Foden.

The Norwegian – who has already hit 17 goals in all competitions this season – became the first player in Premier League history to score hat-tricks in three successive home games on Sunday.

His tally of five goal contributions at the Etihad Stadium, meanwhile, is the most recorded by a player in a single Premier League Manchester Derby.

Guardiola refused to take credit for the striker's form after the win, saying: "I said it many times and I will say again – what Erling is doing, he did in Norway, Austria and Germany.

"The quality we have alongside him helps him score, but what he is doing, I didn't teach him.

"He has incredible instincts. It comes from his mum and dad. He was born with that."

As well as laying on two goals for Foden, Haaland created a game-high four chances on Sunday, and Guardiola was delighted by the quality of his link-up play.

"I have had incredible centre-forwards in my career," Guardiola continued. "What I liked was in the last period of the game, he was involved. I want him to be involved.

"He became a player to score goals, but I want him in contact with the ball. I like him being part of those situations.

"But of course, he has to put the ball in the net, and he is a fantastic striker." 

Haaland has started all 11 of City's competitive games this term, and Guardiola plans to offer him the opportunity to rest at some point. 

"He will take a break. There will be games he is not going to play," he said.

"We are lucky, last season he could not play many games in a row – here we have incredible physios and thanks to them, he can play every 90 minutes.

"They are so important – with their hands, they allow players to play."

Pep Guardiola credited the quality of his forwards after Manchester City beat Manchester United 6-3 in Sunday's derby at the Etihad Stadium, but said his team can still improve on their emphatic display.

Hat-tricks from Erling Haaland and Phil Foden gave the Premier League champions victory, with the duo becoming the first City players to register trebles against United since Francis Lee in December 1970.

Erik ten Hag's United scored three in the second half to restore some pride, but in truth it was a comfortable win for Guardiola's men, who moved back to within one point of league leaders Arsenal.

"In general it was really good, how aggressive we were without the ball, they could not play," the City boss told Sky Sports. 

"[But] when they have Lisandro [Martinez] and Bruno [Fernandes] and [Christian] Eriksen, they have quality to play, we saw that for a few minutes in the second half.

"The quality of the players we had up front made the difference."

City were 4-0 up and cruising at half-time, but United rallied slightly in the second half, with Antony scoring from range to reduce the deficit before Anthony Martial clinched a brace after coming off the bench.

"We scored four goals, we could not really score more," Guardiola said of the first 45 minutes.

"At half-time we [said] we have to continue, but it's more difficult and [United] played better in the second half. 

"In the last minutes we were flat, but great victory, good game, everyone was happy in the stadium."

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss also praised his team's desire, but said some of his players did not play well and insisted his team can do even better.

"This happened since we are here," he said of his team's appetite to win. "This is non-negotiable. We can win or lose, but effort and desire and helping each other [is most important].

"But, many things we can do better, and some players were still not good today and we have to improve."