Erling Haaland absence from Borussia Dortmund's Rangers shambles makes Man City decision clear

For Erling Haaland or anyone associated with Borussia Dortmund, Thursday night proved a very tough watch indeed.

Losing 4-2 to Rangers in a UEFA competition. It’s not 1993, lads. What are you doing?

At least Haaland was spared the indignity of being involved on account of the ongoing muscular injury that also looks set to rule him out of this weekend’s encounter with Borussia Monchengladbach.

But that’s something that’s becoming a problem in itself.

"One thing is clear, you are a world-class player if you always play. That's where he [Haaland] has to improve,” former Dortmund, Arsenal and Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann told Bild this week.

“The likes of [Lionel] Messi, [Philipp] Lahm, Cristiano [Ronaldo], Lewy [Robert Lewandowski] have played every game for over 10 years. If I was a young player today, I'd have them as my role models."

This is Haaland’s third lay-off of the season and he has missed eight of 22 Bundesliga games, starting 13.

The fact he has scored a ludicrous 16 goals in those outings will continue to fuel speculation ahead of a potential blockbuster summer move.

Manchester City and Real Madrid are widely reported to be the frontrunners for his signature, with each club having enjoyed time in the gossip column ascendency. Expect that to and fro to continue until June and beyond.

Giddy speculation about the biggest transfer story in town means Haaland’s injury record has generally been relegated to a footnote, but it is worthy of consideration.

And, like so many of the elements to his next move, it is one that suggests City are the best option for his career.

If Haaland joins Madrid, it will mark the start of a new Galacticos era. He will be the face of one of the biggest sports teams on the