Pep Guardiola praises Manchester City striker Omar Marmoush as title race intensifies

Manchester City have four fixtures remaining this season, including the FA Cup final, across a demanding 12-day schedule that could lead to a domestic treble after their League Cup triumph.

Thanks to the depth in Manchester Citys squad, Egyptian forward Omar Marmoush has only started seven Premier League games this term, but he showed his quality by netting a goal from the substitutes bench during Saturdays 3-0 win against Brentford.

Manager Pep Guardiola now expects Marmoush and other squad players to deliver when required, as his team, holding a game in hand, seeks to erase a five-point deficit behind Premier League toppers Arsenal with three outings left.

We have discussed it often, Guardiola remarked. I realise it is tough for them, yet I am confident they will feature in upcoming matches.

I plan to freshen up the squad, or we risk arriving fatigued for the final or against Bournemouth.

Omar in particular faces challenges, since teams typically rely on a single forward. He is a genuine striker, though Erling Haaland occupies that role.

Erling plays a vital part for us, but Omars impact - his goals relative to playing time - remains impressive.

Haalands outstanding scoring streak has chiefly sidelined Marmoush for an extended period, with the Norwegian ace reaching his 50th goal of the season across club and international duty at the weekend.

It is remarkable, and there was a time in November when he returned exhausted from Norways qualification campaign, Guardiola added.

That phase proved difficult.