Manchester, January 30, 2024, The Europe Today: Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland is poised to make his much-anticipated return to the squad as they face Burnley in the Premier League on Wednesday, according to Manager Pep Guardiola. Haaland, who is currently joint-top goalscorer in the league alongside Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah with 14 goals, has been sidelined since suffering a foot injury in a match against Aston Villa on December 6.
Guardiola confirmed Haaland’s availability during a press conference, stating, “Apparently, he will be selected, yeah. The first time he’s back. We have all the squad (fit), we are stronger. He is an important player for us.” The return of the 23-year-old Norwegian striker is expected to boost City’s attacking prowess as they aim to close the gap with league leaders Liverpool.
Haaland has been in scintillating form this season, scoring 19 goals in 22 games across all competitions. His return comes at a crucial time for Manchester City, who currently sit in second place in the Premier League standings, trailing Liverpool by five points but with a game in hand. With key fixtures in the Champions League and FA Cup in February, Haaland’s availability provides a significant lift to City’s aspirations for silverware.
Responding to questions about his future at Manchester City, Guardiola expressed contentment, stating, “I have everything that a manager could dream (of). (The club) have supported me. We’ve changed a lot of players in the last few years but they’ve always been supportive. I still feel good, and, of course, one day it is going to finish, but I don’t think about that right now.” Guardiola’s focus remains on the upcoming challenges and continuing City’s pursuit of success in various competitions.
