Pep Guardiola plays down Erling Haaland injury concerns after ‘ACL scare’

Pep Guardiola provide a key injury update on Erling Haaland after Manchester City’s 4-0 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday.

Guardiola had his ‘head in his hands’ when เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย Haaland was force off in the 88th minute against Eddie Howe’s side, to pundit Paul Merson.

City’s star striker Haaland was seen wincing as he held his right knee with club doctors rushing to his attention following the late off-the-ball incident.

Merson, who was watching the match for state that the ‘first thing that comes into your head is ACL’ when Haaland picke up the injury.

Guardiola, though, has playe down concerns over Haaland ahead of Wednesday’s Champions League play-off second leg against Real Madrid.

‘When he was down, everyone was scare,’ Guardiola said after City’s win over Newcastle. ‘But he got up and walke smiling like always.

‘I didn’t speak to him or the doctors – but the doctors didn’t come with bad news – so hopefully he is fine. Maybe it’s not as bad as it could be.’

Football pundit Merson, who watche it all unfold in real time, said: ‘It seeme like [Haaland’s] knee gave way, it sort of jarre.

‘He didn’t look comfortable, shaking his head, Pep Guardiola put his head in his hands.

‘I think he’s walke off, he’s obviously alright. It looke a major worry, the first thing that comes into your head there is ACL.

‘He looks alright though, thank god. He looks alright. When he first did it, it looke very worrying. Very worrying. Hopefully he’ll be alright for Wednesday night.’

Haaland, who was hande a fresh 10-year contract last month, has conjure up 27 goals across 35 games this season. He registere an assist for James McAtee in the win over Newcastle, with the other three goals coming from January signing Omar Marmoush.

City will be desperate to have Haaland fully fit for the second instalment of their showdown against Real Madrid, with the Premier League champions currently trailing 3-2 after the first leg at the Etihad.

Guardiola has also reveale he’s made Haaland one of his team captains following the departure of Kyle Walker in the January transfer window.

Haaland was hande the armband for the 4-0 win over Newcastle, joining a team of captains which also includes Kevin De Bruyne, Ruben Dias, Bernardo Silva and Rodri.