'Erling is not comfortable' - Pep Guardiola drops huge Haaland injury bombshell after taking Man City striker off early in Barcelona friendly

The prolific striker has been taken off at half-time in City's last two friendlies against AC Milan and Barcelona, while his team-mates have had longer run-outs. With the new Premier League season just over two weeks away, manager Guardiola has raised some injury concerns about the Norwegian international.

After the 2-2 draw with Barcelona, he said: "Erling is not comfortable. We don't want to take risks. But sooner or later he has to take a step with training and minutes. The season is there, around the corner. He has niggles, muscular, we don't want to take a risk and lose him for three weeks or a month. That would be a problem.

"He didn't feel good and that's why he didn't play the second half. Sixty-seventy percent of the squad are on holiday. That's why we need the players. At the same time, we have alternatives, Oscar [Bobb] makes an incredible job again. We're pleased with many things."

Haaland has been the Premier League's top scorer for the last two seasons and has played a huge role in leading City to yet more silverware in recent times. If he were to miss the start of the 2024-25 campaign, that would be a huge blow for the defending champions - and a big boost to their rivals.

City round off their United States tour when they take on Chelsea on Saturday, before locking horns with rivals Manchester United at Wembley in the Community Shield on August 10. They begin their title defence away to Chelsea eight days later.