Erling Haaland was substituted late on vs Newcastle ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League trip to Real Madrid.
Erling Haaland will be assessed in the coming days after going off in the dying stages of Manchester City’s win over Newcastle with an apparent knee injury.
Haaland had just flicked on a corner for James McAtee to score City’s fourth against Newcastle, before going down off the ball trying to close down a defender. He appeared to feel something in his knee and stayed down to receive treatment from the City physios before getting to his feet and walking off.
The striker took a seat on the bench before walking back onto the pitch at full-time with a smile on his face, initially easing any fears. City take on Real Madrid in their Champions League knockout play-off second leg having lost 3-2 at the Etihad this week. Haaland got both of City’s goals and will be central to any hopes they have of turning the tie around.
Pep Guardiola said after the game that he hopes the striker will be available for the trip to Spain.
“When he was down everyone was scared. He got up, walked [off] smiling like always. I didn’t speak to him but they didn’t come for bad news. Hopefully [he can play in Madrid].”
Guardiola also confirmed that he has personally appointed Haaland into City’s captaincy group after Kyle Walker’s January departure and Haaland’s nine-year contract extension.
Haaland wore the armband for the first time with City in a competitive game, and Guardiola explained that he insisted on the striker being included in the leadership group having previously left such votes to his squad.
“When Kyle left, Kevin became the first [captain],” he said. “I nominated Erling, not them. When one player will be 10 years here, sooner or later you take the step for responsibility. Sooner or later Erling will be [City captain], it’s nice for the first time.”