Marmoush’s Journey at Manchester City: Challenges and Opportunities Ahead

omidbasir- Youssef Marmoush emerged as a pivotal addition to Manchester City in response to their struggling attack during the first half of last season. Having netted 19 goals and provided 11 assists for Eintracht Frankfurt, he was integrated into City’s lineup immediately, starting 14 of the remaining 16 league matches while participating in four of the five FA Cup fixtures, including both the semi-final and final.

Typically, Marmoush partnered with Erling Haaland in the attack, aside from a five-week period when the Norwegian was sidelined due to an ankle injury. During this time, Marmoush showcased his scoring ability with standout performances, including a treble against Newcastle, goals against Brighton, Leicester City, Crystal Palace, and a brace against Bournemouth, where he scored the decisive goal in the FA Cup quarter-final. Furthermore, his spectacular long-range strike in May earned him the title of Premier League Goal of the Season.

However, one setback occurred when Marmoush’s penalty was saved by Dean Henderson during the FA Cup final loss to Crystal Palace, though Haaland faced greater scrutiny for not stepping up when needed.

Pep Guardiola praised Marmoush’s initial impact, stating, “Last season when he arrived he was unbelievable for two or three months. Without him, it would have been impossible to achieve qualification for the Champions League or reach the FA Cup final. He is a special player with room for improvement and dynamic energy in his runs.”

Despite these accolades, Marmoush has struggled to replicate his early form this season, tallying only one Premier League goal against Wolves, with three other goals coming in the Carabao Cup. More concerning is his limited involvement, as he endured a four-month stretch without starting a league match, often relegated to brief appearances off the bench.

While Guardiola previously utilized both Marmoush and Haaland in the same lineup, this season has seen a shift towards favoring one or the other. Given Haaland’s prolific scoring, with 25 goals from August to December, it was difficult for Marmoush to secure a spot in the starting eleven.

During Marmoush’s absence at the Africa Cup of Nations, Haaland struggled with fatigue as City’s sole striker, failing to score from open play over a nine-match span, contributing to the team’s lackluster start to 2026 with no wins in their first four league games.

Upon returning from international duty, Marmoush’s significance increased, participating in all eight of City’s matches across competitions and earning five starts. Notably, he was surprisingly included in the starting lineup against Liverpool and Galatasaray, though his performances left much to be desired, leading to early substitutions in both encounters.

His most effective outings have occurred when he played as the sole striker, particularly evident in matches against Wolves and Newcastle. Guardiola’s comments after the Wolves game highlighted Marmoush’s potential as a striker rather than a traditional winger. However, he has primarily operated on the left side of City’s 4-1-4-1 formation when paired with Haaland.

Marmoush’s aspirations for a wider role have been challenged by the impressive form of teammate Antoine Semenyo, who has scored five goals and provided two assists in his last nine appearances, effectively usurping Marmoush’s position in recent weeks. The competition is set to intensify further with the anticipated returns of Savinho and Jeremy Doku from injury, adding to the wealth of attacking options at Guardiola’s disposal.

This ruthless competition within the City squad raises questions about Marmoush’s future, as he risks becoming a benchwarmer, much like Julian Alvarez, if he cannot elevate his game. The decision lies with Marmoush: whether to thrive in a highly competitive environment fighting for titles or seek opportunities elsewhere to establish his individual legacy.

Upon his arrival, Marmoush expressed his desire to win trophies, recognizing City’s longstanding success in England. “City have been the most successful club in England for many years, and I want to learn from my teammates and become a valued member of this winning team,” he stated.

Joining City during one of Guardiola’s two trophy-less seasons presents a challenge, but a renewed sense of determination permeates the squad as they pursue Arsenal in the title race. As they gear up to face Newcastle, a team Marmoush holds in high regard, the stakes remain high.