Haaland Injury Update: Manchester City Striker’s Fitness for Burnley Clash in Question
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a cautiously optimistic Haaland injury update ahead of Saturday’s Premier League match against Burnley.
The Norwegian striker was substituted during City’s weekend draw at Arsenal after experiencing back pain. Guardiola, however, appears unconcerned about his star forward’s condition.
“Recovery yesterday, he didn’t train. Today I didn’t see him and the rest of the players yet. But hopefully he can be [fit] for the next weekend,” the City boss said.
He added: “It’s been a so, so demanding week, the last game especially, and sometimes the players have problems. But I think he will be fine next weekend, I hope so.”
The draw at the Emirates Stadium was a frustrating one for City. Haaland’s early goal had put them ahead, but Arsenal fought back to secure a last-minute equaliser. Guardiola admitted his side’s performance fell short of their usual standards.
“It was a tough week, and fatigue definitely played a part,” he reflected. “Man City sit ninth in the Premier League table and are already eight points behind leaders Liverpool, but I see progress. The team is showing the right spirit after last season’s struggles.”
Guardiola praised the squad’s resilience and fighting mentality: “I’m really proud of this fight. We recover many, many things that last season we were missing.
We have an incredible spirit. Of course, we cannot sustain this for the whole season, but credit to the opponents. Arsenal is able to challenge like this against anyone.
I want to learn to celebrate when we draw. Always I ask one thing since I start my managerial career is to give everything on the pitch. And last season we didn’t do it in some moments.
This season, especially since [the win over Manchester] United, we start to recover many things that define our teams for many, many years. I cannot care less that we can do better, we’ll do it.
We have to play a little bit more with the ball, we will do it, but first comes the spirit that we have shown this week.
You have to take care of these kind of things like a father, a mother takes care of his sons. The team will grow up.”
City’s congested fixture list continues with a Carabao Cup third-round trip to Huddersfield on Wednesday night. Guardiola’s options are limited, with injuries affecting Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov, who was substituted at half-time against Arsenal.
As the Premier League intensifies, all eyes will be on Haaland, with fans eagerly awaiting confirmation of his availability. His fitness could be pivotal if City are to climb the table and keep their title hopes alive.
