Haaland's Road to Recovery: When Will Man City's Goal Machine Return to Action?
Erling Haaland faces expectations unlike any other footballer.
The powerful Norwegian striker experienced what many considered a sluggish beginning to 2026 in terms of goalscoring, which sparked widespread critique. This allegedly poor streak of performances saw Haaland manage only 41 goals across his initial 41 appearances for both club and national team this campaign. Clearly, his standards are dropping.
Apart from the constant pressure to score goals, Haaland is consistently anticipated to participate in every match for Manchester City. Even when the multiple Premier League winners were matched at home against League Two side Exeter City in the FA Cup's third round, Pep Guardiola included Haaland in the starting lineup. Therefore, the 25-year-old's complete omission from the squad that narrowly defeated Salford City in the cup's fourth round generated considerable surprise.
As Manchester City prepare for a fascinating end to the season, with potential triumphs both domestically and in Europe still within reach, they cannot afford to lose their star striker.
Here's the most recent update on Haaland's physical condition.
What Injury Does Erling Haaland Have?
What Injury Does Erling Haaland Have?
"Minor issues" was the somewhat informal medical description Guardiola employed to describe Haaland's recent unavailability.
City's number 9 was substituted during the second period of their midweek victory against Fulham due to a problem that Guardiola loosely described as general discomfort. Some physical strain for the most heavily marked striker in the league is understandable, especially considering Haaland's frequent selection for starting positions.
Even with his absence against Salford, Haaland continues to lead Manchester City players in total minutes played this season, accumulating 2,912 across all tournaments—no other teammate approaches his tally of 34 starting appearances.
When Will Erling Haaland Return From Injury?
When Will Erling Haaland Return From Injury?
Guardiola was eager to minimize concerns about Haaland's injury severity. "Erling isn't at full fitness. It's nothing major, the medical team informed me," he explained. "However, [Haaland] experienced some discomfort beforehand and throughout the match, which is why he didn't continue in the second half.
"We'll monitor his progress."
Due to the dramatic late interventions by Guardiola's former rival José Mourinho, City secured a spot in the Champions League's top eight, avoiding the additional playoff round scheduled for next week. While teams like Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain fight for their round of 16 positions, City enjoy a free week to prepare for Newcastle United's visit next Saturday evening.
Whether Haaland will be hastily returned for this encounter remains uncertain—City convincingly beat the Magpies earlier this month while their Scandinavian star observed from the substitutes' bench. Another week passes before City's next fixture, a journey to Leeds United's Elland Road—the stadium of the team Haaland supported as a child due to his father's history in Yorkshire.