Guardiola Delivers Crucial Three-Word Verdict on Haaland's Injury Concerns

When asked about Erling Haaland's fitness for Manchester City's challenging Premier League clash with Bournemouth on Sunday, Pep Guardiola could only respond with: "I hope so."

The consistently lethal striker was completely absent from Wednesday's Carabao Cup triumph over Swansea City, excluded from the matchday squad after picking up an injury during last weekend's loss to Aston Villa. Guardiola maintains a straightforward policy regarding Haaland's inclusion: when healthy, he features in the starting eleven.

As the Spanish manager quipped earlier this campaign: "Maybe at the end when we win the Premier League 10 points in front, 10 games to go, after he will rest."

City, currently sitting fifth in the early league standings, welcome a Bournemouth team that trails table-toppers Arsenal by just one position and four points this weekend. The Cherries have remained undefeated in league play since their impressive performance in an unlucky Anfield loss on the season's opening weekend against Liverpool.

Andoni Iraola draws from the same tactical philosophy as Guardiola: the legendary high-pressing pioneer Marcelo Bielsa. Bournemouth represent a truer embodiment of the Argentine's relentless principles, displaying the Premier League's most intense pressing game that has dominated much of the division this campaign.

City must perform at their peak to counter the Cherries and can hardly afford to enter this challenging encounter without their star player.

Guardiola Suggests Answer to Man City's Haaland Reliance

Haaland's impact on City's attack has been overwhelming this campaign.

The striker has netted 15 times in 12 matches across the Premier League and Champions League. No other City player has managed more than a single goal in these competitions.

Omar Marmoush found the net for his maiden goal of the season during Wednesday's tense Carabao Cup win, leading the line in Haaland's place. The adaptable Egyptian attacker was signed as Julián Alvarez's delayed replacement, theoretically providing flexibility to play alongside or in place of Haaland.

"With Erling, he knows perfectly how to be patient, how to be in small spaces, how to be consistent, to go to the ones in behind," Guardiola praised after the match. "Marmoush has been injured for a long time and of course, playing in the position that Erling plays, and Erling is important, but we know in many games we need both and having him back is so nice."

Marmoush hasn't featured in a league starting lineup since August but might potentially renew his partnership with Haaland against Bournemouth, who coincidentally were the last Premier League side to allow a Marmoush goal.

Man City's Leading Scorers in 2025–26 (Excluding Carabao Cup)