Erling Haaland injury update amid fears of season-ending knee problem ahead of Real Madrid showdown | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has issued a much-needed update on the fitness and injury sustained by Erling Haaland during the 4-0 win over Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.

The Norwegian striker was replaced during the closing exchanges of the weekend’s win over Eddie Howe’s side having sustained a knee problem in the build-up to Manchester City’s final goal scored by James McAtee.

Haaland provided the crucial flick-on at the near-post from an Ilkay Gundogan corner which was met at the back-post by McAtee to slam home from close-range, but appeared to jar his knee in the surface upon landing and fell to the floor unchallenged shortly after the restart.

With the Manchester City striker clutching his knee in severe discomfort, many were fearing the worst as flashbacks of Rodri’s anterior cruciate ligament damage to his knee last September came to the fore, which ultimately ended the Spaniard’s season.

As the Premier League champions enter a crucial phase of their season across competitions, and prepare for a meeting with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League last-16 play-offs on Wednesday night, an update on Haaland’s wellbeing was awaited at the full-time whistle.

And, as spotted by those in attendance at the Etihad on Saturday, Haaland appeared to be moving freely around the pitch following the full-time whistle against Newcastle, shaking hands with the match officials, and celebrating the win with a smile on his face.

Upon addressing the media from the Etihad after the game, manager Pep Guardiola was quizzed on concerns around Erling Haaland’s injury, to which he explained, “When he was down everyone was scared.”

The Manchester City manager continued, “He got up, walked, smiling like always. I didn’t speak to him, but the doctors didn’t come with bad news. Hopefully (he will be fine for Real Madrid).”

It was a memorable afternoon on the whole for Haaland too, as he donned the Manchester City captain’s armband for the first time in a competitive fixture, in the latest development in his continuously rising career at the club.

Guardiola revealed he had personally nominated the 24-year-old striker to join the first-team leadership group after Kyle Walker’s exit, admitting to reporters, “Erling has signed a 10-year contract, so I have the feeling about him as captain. I am really happy for him.”

It remains to be seen what further assessment will indicate concerning the mainstay Manchester City forward as the first-team squad return to the City Football Academy training base on Sunday morning for recovery work.

Pep Guardiola is also then due to address the media once again on Tuesday as Manchester City travel to the Spanish capital 24 hours prior to the crucial second-leg last-16 play-off meeting with Carlo Ancelotti’s side, currently trailing 3-2 from the first-leg.