LONDON: Pep Guardiola expects Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush to have a key role in the closing stages of the English season.
City have four games left this campaign, including the FA Cup final, in a busy 12-day spell that could yet see them finish with a domestic treble following their League Cup success. Such is City´s squad strength, Egypt forward Marmoush has made just seven Premier League starts this season, but he proved his worth with a goal off the bench in Saturday´s 3-0 defeat of Brentford.
City manager Guardiola now hopes Marmoush and other fringe players can step up when called upon as his side, who have a game in hand, look to overhaul a five-point gap to Premier League leaders Arsenal with three matches to play.
“We´ve talked many times,” said Guardiola. “I know it´s not easy for them, but I´m pretty sure in the next games they´re going to play. “I want to rotate the team because otherwise we cannot arrive in the final or Bournemouth a little bit (fresh).
“Especially Omar. It´s not easy because normally you just want one striker. He´s a proper striker but Erling (Haaland) is there. “Erling is so important for us but the contribution of Omar -- the amount of goals for the minutes played -- is so high.”
