Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has defended star striker Erling Haaland and said the team must "use him better" to help fix his form slump.

While Haaland is still second in the Premier League's goal-scoring ranks with 13 goals this season, he has scored just four times in his last 13 matches.

The 24-year-old's personal dip in form has coincided with City's struggles as a team.

Guardiola's side have slipped to seventh in the Premier League table with one win in their last eight matches.

However, the manager defended Haaland on Tuesday, saying they must use him better in order to get back on track.

"It's about us, it's not just about one playing. When Erling was so prolific, it was about us, the team," Guardiola told a news conference ahead of City's match against Everton on Boxing Day.

"Erling is so important for us and will be so important for us. We need to use him better.

"The reason why is this one and this one and this one. It is about us, about everyone. The guys are running more than ever. Many little details and big details make us not as good as we were."

City will train on Tuesday as well as in the evening on Christmas Day, while Éderson, Matheus Nunes and John Stones are all in doubt for the match against Everton.