Manchester City will keep Erling Haaland under wraps during potential treble chase

Manchester City will wrap Erling Haaland in cotton wool as Pep Guardiola’s side target the nine victories they need to retain the Premier League title.

The 45-goal Norwegian will be key for City as they chase honours on three fronts, safe in the knowledge that if they win all of their remaining games — starting with Saturday’s visit of Leicester — they will overtake Arsenal.

The Gunners remain six points clear at the top having played a game more but must visit the Etihad later this month.

Haaland has missed just three games through injury for City this season, compared to 16 with Borussia Dortmund last season.

Guardiola said: ‘I don’t know what he has done in Dortmund but we take care of him 24 hours. We have incredible doctors and physios, they are behind him every second of the day.

Pep Guardiola said the Norwegian ‘works so much inside the training centre’ than in games

The Norwegian has broken the record for the most goals scored by a Premier League player in all competitions

‘It’s difficult to understand why you spend a lot of money and then leave them. With this demanding schedule, we have to take care of them. It’s so demanding today, with nutrition, rest, sleep, food.

‘We have to be like a watch because he’s so big. Physios, massage, backs, shoulders, tendons, everything. He works so much inside the training centre, much more than on the pitch.’

On City’s chances of retaining the title, Guardiola added: ‘I’m delighted to be in the position we are. I don’t think much about anything but Leicester. I don’t care about titles or no titles. 

‘Six or seven weeks before the end of the season, I am feeling that the team are defending well, attacking well and that’s good.’