'Don't laugh' - Pep Guardiola slams Jamie Carragher over 'not nice' Erling Haaland comments after ex-Liverpool star aims 'Antonio Rudiger-itis' dig at Man City striker

On Wednesday evening, Guardiola made the crucial call to leave Haaland on the bench for Manchester City as they tried to come back from a 3-2 deficit against Real Madrid in their Champions League knockout round play-off. The Norwegian had come off injured in the Premier League champions' massive win against Newcastle United days earlier and the Norwegian's availability was in doubt for the trip to Santiago Bernabeu, and former Liverpool star and CBS Sports pundit Carragher had questions over this turn of events.

Despite losing 6-3 on aggregate, Haaland remained on the bench and Carragher questioned whether Haaland had requested Guardiola to remain on the bench, suggesting he was intimidated by Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger. Carragher probed whether the 24-year-old striker was actually injured or if he had 'Rudiger-itis'. Guardiola has now slammed these comments.

When questioned about Carragher's comments, Guardiola said: "Oh, God, did he say that? Jamie Carragher said that? Oh God.

"Don't laugh. I don't know why he makes that suspicious, you know that? Did he say that Haaland didn't want to play the game? It's not nice - and it's not true. He (Haaland) was crazy to play the game. He had a problem with his knee and he could not play."

The Norwegian striker's fitness remains in question as City shift their focus towards their Premier League clash against Liverpool at the Etihad on Sunday.