Pep Guardiola expresses new worries about Erling Haaland’s fitness before crucial matches against Arsenal and Real Madrid

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has suggested that there are fresh concerns about the fitness of striker Erling Haaland.

During Saturday evening’s match against Newcastle United, the 23-year-old was substituted for Julian Alvarez after 87 minutes. Haaland was seen holding his shoulder before being taken off at the Etihad Stadium.

Haaland has been dealing with injury issues this season, missing 12 matches for Manchester City between December and January due to a foot problem. This forced him to sit out of Premier League and FIFA Club World Cup games.

Since returning from injury in late January against Burnley, Haaland has scored 10 goals in 12 games. He has a total of 29 goals in 34 appearances for Manchester City this season but is unlikely to match last season’s record of 52 goals in 53 matches.

Despite his injury concerns, Haaland is expected to play in two upcoming international friendlies before returning to help Manchester City in their quest to win trophies.

Manchester City remains in contention for all three competitions they won last season, with a Champions League quarter-final against Real Madrid and an Emirates FA Cup semi-final at Wembley Stadium coming up next month.

In the Premier League title race, City is just one point behind both Arsenal and Liverpool and will face the Gunners at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, 31st March.

There are doubts about Haaland’s fitness for the upcoming match, as Guardiola mentioned after the win over Newcastle that the striker is one of three current concerns for Manchester City.

“We need Kevin (De Bruyne), Jack (Grealish), and Erling (Haaland) to come back in the best possible conditions,” Guardiola stated.

De Bruyne and Grealish also have their own fitness issues, with De Bruyne having to pull out of Belgium’s international duty due to a groin injury and Grealish struggling with muscular problems throughout the season.

City is hopeful that De Bruyne will be fit after the international break, as they are already missing goalkeeper Ederson due to injury.