Manchester City Manager Says Haaland ‘Not Perfect’ After Injury

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said striker Erling Haaland is “still not perfect” as the Norwegian has not yet fully recovered from a foot injury, and may sit out their last two games before the season breaks for the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Haaland missed two matches due to the injury before coming off the bench against Fulham in the Premier League on Saturday, converting a stoppage-time penalty to secure victory for Manchester City.

“He is still not perfect,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of their League Cup third round tie against Chelsea on Wednesday.

“He is getting better. The main thing is the bone was not broken – the ligament is damaged a little bit, so he’s still not perfect right now.”

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Manchester City host Brentford on Saturday in their last Premier League game ,before the league shuts down for the World Cup in Qatar.

Guardiola said the 22-year-old could play in Norway’s friendlies against Ireland and Finland later this month.

“If he feels good, he will play for the national team – it is so important for the players,” Guardiola said. “I never stop players playing for their national team.”

Chidi Nwoke/Reuters.