“At some point we probably need to give him rest, some days off,” the City head coach said of Haaland at his pre-Ipswich press conference on Friday.
“We are thinking about this not just with Erling because we have players, unfortunately or fortunately, they are playing all the games with us and all the games with the international teams.”
Haaland, though, is still expected to keep his place up top against Ipswich, as a rest against AEK Athens in the Champions League on Tuesday night appears more likely.
That said, there may be changes behind the striker for City. Rayan Cherki was taken off at half-time against PSG and may make way here, with Phil Foden waiting for a chance after serving a three-match suspension following his red card in the Manchester derby.
History-maker: Erling Haaland broke two Champions League records against PSG
AFP/Getty
Iliman Ndiaye made an impact as a second-half substitute against PSG and will be pushing for a start out wide, replacing either Jeremy Doku or Antoine Semenyo.
Fortunately for Maresca, he has no fresh injuries to contend with and should be able to pick from a full complement of players against Ipswich.
Ayyoub Bouaddi, meanwhile, impressed after being brought on at the break on Wednesday and should get a chance to impress against a newly-promoted side, potentially replacing Elliot Anderson who is also due a rest.
Matheus Nunes is set to reclaim his place at right-back after an uninspiring showing from Abdukodir Khusanov, who was given a difficult evening by PSG star Desire Doue in midweek.
Ruben Dias and Marc Guehi should both keep their places in the centre of defence along with goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, but Josko Gvardiol could make way for Nico O’Reilly at left-back.
Predicted Man City XI vs Ipswich (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guehi, O’Reilly; Bouaddi, Fernandez; Semenyo, Foden, Ndiaye; Haaland
Time and date: 3pm BST on Saturday October 17, 2026
Venue: Etihad Stadium