Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed confidence that forward Omar Marmoush will play a significant role in the closing stages of the English season. With City still competing on multiple fronts, including the FA Cup final, Guardiola is planning to rotate his squad heavily over the next 12 days, and the Egypt international is expected to feature prominently.
City have four games remaining in their campaign, including the FA Cup final at Wembley. They also have a League Cup already in the trophy cabinet from earlier in the season, meaning they could yet achieve a domestic treble. Guardiola’s side currently trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by five points, but they have a game in hand and hope to close the gap with three league matches to play.
Marmoush has made just seven Premier League starts this season, largely because of the phenomenal form of Erling Haaland. The Norway international has scored 50 goals for club and country so far this season, a tally that underscores his importance to Guardiola’s system. However, the manager recognises the need to keep his players fresh, especially given the congested fixture schedule.
“We’ve talked many times,” Guardiola said of Marmoush and other fringe players. “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.”
The Egyptian forward proved his worth in the recent 3-0 win over Brentford at the Etihad Stadium, coming off the bench to score the third goal. It was his eighth goal of the season in all competitions, a tally that includes several crucial strikes in limited minutes. Guardiola highlighted Marmoush’s efficiency: “Especially Omar. It’s not easy because normally you just want one striker. He’s a proper striker but Erling is there. Erling is so important for us but the contribution of Omar – the amount of goals for the minutes played – is so high.”
Marmoush joined City in the summer of 2025 from Eintracht Frankfurt for a fee reported to be around €25 million. At Frankfurt, he had established himself as a dynamic forward capable of playing across the front line, scoring 17 goals in the 2024–25 Bundesliga season. His move to City was seen as a strategic signing to provide depth behind Haaland, a role that has required patience and professionalism.
Born in Cairo, Marmoush began his career in Egypt before moving to Germany as a teenager. He rose through the youth ranks at VfL Wolfsburg and later had loan spells at St. Pauli and VfB Stuttgart. His breakthrough came at Frankfurt, where his pace, dribbling, and finishing caught the eye of City’s scouts. At international level, he has become a key figure for Egypt, often playing as a central striker or wide attacker.
Guardiola’s rotation policy is not new. He frequently uses his entire squad during the busy periods, particularly in the final weeks of the season. With City chasing a record fourth consecutive Premier League title, along with FA Cup glory, the manager must balance minutes for his stars while ensuring fresh legs for the decisive matches. The FA Cup final, scheduled for late May, is likely to see a strong lineup, but the preceding league fixtures may offer opportunities for players like Marmoush to start.
Haaland’s form has been nothing short of extraordinary. The Norwegian has already surpassed his own Premier League goal record from the 2022–23 season, scoring 38 league goals by early May. However, Guardiola acknowledged that even Haaland can suffer from fatigue. “It’s incredible, and there was a period when he was so tired in November when he came back from Norway qualification. It was a struggle,” Guardiola said. The manager’s comments indicate that he is mindful of overplaying his star striker, especially ahead of the FA Cup final.
Marmoush’s intelligence off the ball and his ability to operate in tight spaces make him a valuable asset in Guardiola’s system. Though he has not yet started a Champions League knockout tie for City, his contributions in domestic cup competitions have been notable. He scored a hat-trick in an early-round FA Cup tie against League One opposition, showcasing his predatory instincts.
City’s remaining schedule includes a trip to Bournemouth, a home match against Wolverhampton Wanderers, and a final-day fixture away to Arsenal, which could decide the title. Sandwiched between those games is the FA Cup final against Manchester United. Guardiola has already indicated he will rotate for the Bournemouth game, likely giving Marmoush a start. “I want to rotate the team because otherwise we cannot arrive in the final or Bournemouth a little bit fresh,” he repeated.
The Egyptian has earned praise from teammates for his work ethic in training. Ilkay Gundogan, City’s captain, recently described Marmoush as “a nightmare for defenders” in practice sessions. The forward’s speed and directness provide a different dimension to Haaland’s more physical, poaching style. Guardiola has occasionally deployed both strikers together in a 4-4-2 formation, but that experiment has been rare due to the need for midfield balance.
If Marmoush can maintain his scoring streak in the coming games, he could become a key figure in City’s push for silverware. His goal against Brentford came after a swift counter-attack, where he latched onto a through ball from Kevin De Bruyne and finished calmly past the goalkeeper. Such moments highlight why Guardiola trusts him in high-pressure situations.
The season’s run-in is often where squad depth separates champions from contenders. City’s ability to call upon a player of Marmoush’s caliber from the bench could prove decisive. Guardiola’s faith in his fringe players has been rewarded before, and he hopes Marmoush will follow in the footsteps of previous impact substitutes like Julian Alvarez and Gabriel Jesus.
Beyond this season, Marmoush’s future at City remains bright. At 27, he is entering his prime years, and with Haaland occasionally linked with a move to Real Madrid, Marmoush could eventually become the first-choice striker. But for now, he is content to contribute when called upon, a sign of his maturity and team-first attitude.
As City prepare for the final push, Guardiola’s words serve as a clear message to Marmoush and others: the door is open for those who prove themselves in training and in limited game time. The next fortnight will test the depth of the squad, but if Marmoush continues his form, he could play a starring role in City’s quest for yet another historic treble.
Source: RFI News