The Norwegian only played 45 minutes in Saturday’s 6-1 win over Bournemouth (Picture: Getty)
Pep Guardiola has played down the severity of Erling Haaland’s injury after he was withdrawn at half-time of Manchester City’s thumping 6-1 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Premier League’s top scorer, who has netted 11 times already this season, was unable to add to his tally despite City putting Bournemouth to the sword.
Haaland appeared to be limping as he left the field at half-time and looked in discomfort as he headed down the tunnel, with Phil Foden coming on to replace him in the second half.
Guardiola has confirmed that his striker sustained a knock to the ankle but says it is only a minor issue and he could even play against Young Boys in the Champions League on Tuesday.
Asked about the injury, the City manager told Match of the Day: ‘Twist in the ankle, we didn’t want to take risks with him, he didn’t feel comfortable.
‘He’ll be back maybe Tuesday but maybe next Sunday.’
After the European tie against Young Boys in midweek City are next in action in the Premier League against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on Sunday before hosting Liverpool after the international break.
Haaland appeared to suffer the knock during a challenge (Picture: Getty)
In the absence of Haaland, it was summer recruit Jeremy Doku who lit up the Etihad with a goal and, astonishingly, four assists in an incredible performance.
Asked about the Belgian winger’s display, Guardiola continued: ‘He’s settled so quick. It’s not just today all the games he played he’s played really good. We are really pleased.’
On the performance against Bournemouth in general, he added: ‘We didn’t expect the way they played with five at the back. We scored in the right moments, second half they started better than us.
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‘Man-to-man they were aggressive, when a team is losing 3-0 and they go to man-to-man and go for it I have a lot of respect for that.’
Haaland’s injury was not the only one suffered at the Etihad on Saturday, with Bournemouth summer signing Alex Scott in serious discomfort after appearing to twist his knee.
Asked about the injury to his midfielder, Andoni Iraola told Match of the Day: ‘We will have to check, it’s the other knee [not the same knee as last injury].
‘Not the same kind of injury, he felt it in the inside of the knee. Let’s hope it’s something minor but we can’t say too much before checking.’
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