The Manchester City forward is set to face Leeds United for the first time in his career, on Wednesday.
Pep Guardiola has revealed Erling Haaland is feeling ‘much better’ following the foot injury which plagued him prior to the World Cup.
The forward started just one of Manchester City’s last five matches before the mid-season hiatus due to a ligament problem, and his training schedule over the break was impacted by the injury. Haaland also suffered from muscular problems last term when playing for Borussia Dortmund, and missed 16 matches in 2021/22 as a result.
But speaking ahead of City’s return to Premier League action on Wednesday, when they face Leeds United at Elland Road, Guardiola said the knock this season is not connected to the injury he suffered from last campaign, and added the no.9 is feeling ‘much better’.
“But the injury is completely different to last season,” the City boss told reporters in his pre-match press conference. “It was a knock on his foot in Dortmund, when we played them in the Champions League.
“The doctor said he damaged his ligaments in his foot and it’s so painful. It’s not easy to recover, that’s why he struggled. But muscular issues it’s perfect and now it’s much, much better; now it’s a question of time. Of course we need him and, yeah, it’s good.”
Haaland was one of five new signings over the summer, along with Stefan Ortega Moreno, Manuel Akanji, Sergio Gomez and Kalvin Phillips. But after a busy off-season, it looks like City will have a much quieter January window.
Guardiola had said before the break that he did not plan to make any additions during the season, something he reiterated ahead of the Leeds clash. “I don’t think so, I think we’re going to finish [January] in this way,” explained the former Barcelona manager.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen but since I arrived in Abu Dhabi [during the World Cup] with the sporting director, with Tixiki [Begiristain] and everyone, there wasn’t any name on the table.”
A win for City at Elland Road would see the Premier League champions move back into second place, after the Blues were leapfrogged by Newcastle United on Boxing Day.
Guardiola wary of ‘aggressive’ Leeds in City’s Premier League restart
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the match against Liverpool December 22, 2022. ― Reuters pic
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MANCHESTER, Dec 28 ― Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said Leeds United would not have been his first choice to restart their Premier League campaign against and expects a tough test against the division’s “most aggressive” side later today.
City, who lost to Brentford in their final league game before the World Cup break, trail leaders Arsenal by eight points. Newcastle United have leapfrogged Guardiola’s side into second, a point above City but having played two games more.
Guardiola said his players had to be switched on against Leeds.
“One of the toughest games, I would have preferred another opponent than Leeds in the moment after the World Cup. It’s the most aggressive team in the Premier League,” he added.
“Their guys don’t give you time to think. You have to be precise and you have to be in a high level to do it in the situation we have after our defeat against Brentford.”
City can cut the deficit to Arsenal to five points with a win on Wednesday and Guardiola was determined to keep the leaders within striking distance.
“You have to be alert and be careful because if the distance is bigger, it’ll be so difficult to catch them.” ― Reuters
Source: manchesterworld.uk; malaymail.com
