Pep Guardiola reveals when Erling Haaland will make Man City debut after £51m transfer is benched against Club America
PEP GUARDIOLA says Erling Haaland will make his Manchester City bow against Bayern Munich this weekend.
The Norwegian superstar, 22, sat out the 2-1 win over Club America here on Thursday as he returned later to training than his new team-mates.
However his manager expects Haaland to be ready to face the German giants in Green Bay in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Guardiola said: “Next game, Erling will be ready. He had some niggles and a few problems.
“We’ll see – he’s trained just two sessions and didn’t want to take risks because the season is so long.
“He had injury problems last season and tried to handle it. We want to take care of him and want him fit.”
READ MORE SPORT STORIES
One player who did hit the ground running was Kevin de Bruyne who scored twice in the victory over the Mexican side.
Guardiola added: “Kevin came back on top form and no injuries, that’s good.
“Last season we arrived really bad with injuries. This season is the complete opposite. He can continue his levels after last year was his best for goals.”
Meanwhile, Jack Grealish believes Haaland is going to be “unstoppable” for Manchester City this season.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
And the Norwegian superstar has told his new car share pal he does not feel any pressure – as he only cost half as much as him.
Haaland wasted no time in pointing out his £51.4million price tag is only around HALF of the £100m Grealish – who was involved in a scrap during the Club America match – cost in summer 2021.
The England ace said: “He actually said to me, ‘I’m only half the price of you so I haven’t got the pressure.’
“Obviously it’s always going to be big expectations but nowadays you have to deal with it.
“I suppose if he misses a chance or whatever then people are always going to have something to say. I’ve had to get used to it myself.
“But he’s looked good in training and once he reaches full fitness will be unstoppable. I can’t wait to play with him and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Grealish has liked what he has seen from the former Borussia Dortmund man both on and off the pitch.
He said: “He is a great guy, a brilliant guy. The first day that I met him we took a car together and even after that ride I thought, “what a guy”.
“He’s so down to earth and quite up front with the way he is. You get used to that.”
While Haaland did not feature in Thursday’s win over Club America, fellow new arrival Julian Alvarez took the chance to shine.
Read More on The Sun
He didn’t find the net in the 2-1 win but Grealish said: “Julian was brilliant too.
“He actually reminds me of Jamie Vardy, the way he presses, can finish and runs in behind.”