Pep Guardiola refuses to answer Erling Haaland injury question as Man City boss bemoans fixture run

Pep Guardiola refused to disclose what kept Erling Haaland out of Manchester City’s narrow win over Leeds United at the weekend.

Haaland was a notable absentee as City scraped to a 1-0 win at Elland Road to keep up the pressure on Premier League leaders Arsenal.

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It was reported a knee issue kept Haaland out but Guardiola told journalists that wasn’t the case.

However, when pressed what part of Haaland’s body was injured, the ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss declined to answer.

Guardiola meanwhile took umbrage with the fixture scheduling that awaits his side with City facing tough matches against Newcastle and Real Madrid within a week of their Premier League clash at home to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday night.

“I don’t have an answer right now,” Guardiola said of Haaland’s availability for the Forest match.

“So, he was not ready for today, but we have four days before Nottingham Forest.

“After that three days before the FA Cup in Newcastle at 8pm. Thank you so much for that kick-off time to go better to Madrid with less recovery. Thank you.”

Haaland’s services weren’t required against Leeds as Antoine Semenyo scored the decisive goal, but the news comes as a huge blow for the Citizens, with Haaland firing in a staggering 22 goals in 27 Premier League games this term.

‘A little injury’

While the nature of Haaland’s injury remains unclear, City boss Guardiola said just before the win at Leeds that the striker suffered a fitness issue in training.

And while he did not share a specific return date, the Spaniard was hopeful that his leading goalscorer will be back soon.

He said: “Two days ago in training he had some problems and a little injury. Not a big issue but [he’s] not ready for today.

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“We are without one top striker and we are playing with another top striker.”

The Premier League Golden Boot leader has scored an incredible 39 goals in just 36 games for club and country this season across all competitions.

However, he has struggled for form more recently, having netted just once in his last eight matches.

Haaland will be desperate to return to form and fitness quickly, with City still gunning for glory on all four fronts.

City’s victory took them to within two points off Premier League leaders Arsenal, however, that was restored to five points on Sunday.

The Gunners also won at the weekend as they edged to a 2-1 triumph against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium.

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As well as chasing Arsenal in the Premier League title race, Guardiola’s side are also into the Carabao Cup final – where they will face the Gunners – and their hopes are still alive in both the Champions League and FA Cup.