Haaland injury fears addressed as delayed Manchester City debut for £51m striker explained by Guardiola

Erling Haaland is still waiting on his debut for Manchester City following his £51 million ($61m) transfer from Borussia Dortmund, with Pep Guardiola revealing “niggles and a few problems” are keeping him on the side-lines for now.

The Premier League champions will not be taking any gambles on the Norwegian striker’s fitness as they ready themselves for the 2022-23 campaign.

The 22-year frontman is being eased into the fold and, with injury struggles holding him back at times last season, he will have to wait until the friendly with Bayern Munich in Green Bay on Saturday before potentially making his bow for a new club.

Explaining why Haaland did not play in the 2-1 victory over Club America in Texas, Guardiola told reporters: “Next game, Erling will be ready. He’s had niggles and a few problems. We’ll see. He’s trained just two sessions and didn’t want to take risks. The season is so long.”

Erling Haaland is in the lab