Manchester City could have their talismanic striker Erling Haaland back in their team to face Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this weekend after Pep Guardiola’s hint. The Norwegian forward was missing from the squad that faced Brighton and Hove Albion on Thursday night after he continued to recover from a muscle injury. Haaland was replaced during the Champions League quarter-final defeat to Real Madrid and missed the following clash with Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals.
However, Haaland’s stint on the sidelines could be over on Sunday after Guardiola dropped a promising hint on Thursday evening. The City boss told reporters: ‘I prefer to have Erling at my disposal than to have it [the squad without him].’
‘I spoke with him, and he says he feels better, I don’t know.’
If Haaland does not prove to be fit for the trip to face relegation-threatened Forest, City won’t be too worried based on their performance against Brighton. The Blues were at their rampant best in the first half as a spectacular diving header from Kevin De Bruyne was followed up with a Phil Foden brace to put City firmly in the ascendency. Haaland’s replacement Julian Alvarez ended a ten-game goal drought with just under half an hour remaining as he tapped home following a good run by Kyle Walker.
City’s win moves them back up to second in the Premier League table, a point behind Arsenal who lead the way but have played a game more than the Blues. Guardiola’s men play their game in hand on Tuesday, May 14 when they visit Tottenham Hotspur.
