Erling Haaland gives Man City fitness update as Pep Guardiola calls for caution

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been speaking about his condition after not playing at the World Cup.

Erling Haaland of Manchester City shares a joke with Wilfried Gnonto of Leeds United (Image: Getty)

Erling Haaland insists he is raring to go for the second half of the season after returning to Premier League action with a record-breaking brace.

Haaland added another two goals to his tally for Manchester City to make it 20 Premier League goals in 14 appearances – needing seven fewer games than anyone else to reach that mark – and make it 26 in all competitions before the New Year. His two second-half strikes at Elland Road helped City to beat Leeds 3-1 and move back to within five points of leaders Arsenal.

However, on top of the striker admitting that he could have scored many more on the night his manager cautioned that the player is not at his best physically. Haaland missed a few matches before the break for the World Cup after suffering painful ligament damage in his foot in a Champions League match against his former club Dortmund, and was unable to train fully with the City players who headed out to Abu Dhabi at the beginning of December.

Guardiola reckons that Haaland is still lacking in pace and sharpness as he works his way up to full fitness, although Haaland gave a more upbeat verdict on his condition.

“I feel good. I had a vacation and recharged my batteries. I’m ready for the second half of the season– I feel good. We win – that’s fantastic and it’s what we have to do. It’s the main focus.”

He added: “The medical staff have been working so good for me to fix my body. I’ve been having some small problems but now I’m getting much better.”

Man City star Jack Grealish makes delight at beating Leeds United clear after win

Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish provided two assists during his side’s 3-1 win over Leeds United on Wednesday night.

Jack Grealish (Image: 2022 AMA Sports Photo Agency)

Manchester City midfielder Jack Grealish took a thinly-veiled swipe at Leeds United fans on social media after the former Aston Villa man was heavily booed by sections of the home crowd during Wednesday night’s victory.

Pep Guardiola’s side won 3-1 at Elland Road in their first Premier League game since the World Cup break. A brace from Erling Haaland and another goal from Rodri saw City close the gap to Arsenal back down to five points following the Gunners’ 3-1 win against West Ham on Boxing Day.

Grealish was named in the Blues’ starting XI for the win and helped his side secure all three points with two assists. The former Villa midfielder missed a hat-trick of chances to score himself in the first half, something that Guardiola has told his star that he needs to work on, but went on to provide assists for both of Haaland’s goals.

The 27-year-old found himself on the receiving end of some abuse from sections of the crowd, with Grealish being relentlessly booed by the Leeds faithful due to their rivalry with Villa – the City man’s former club.

Despite failing to find the back of the net, Grealish had the last laugh as he helped his side to victory. The England international however did not leave things there, as he could not help but take to social media with a cheeky dig at the Leeds fans who gave him such a hostile welcome.

Taking to Instagram after the match, he wrote: “Late Christmas present for you City fans. Great night at Elland Road.”

SOURCE: manchestereveningnews.co.uk