Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has been dealing with muscle discomfort, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola. Haaland was substituted at half-time for the second consecutive match during City's preseason tour of the United States. In their recent match against Barcelona, City suffered a 4-1 defeat on penalties after a 2-2 draw in Florida, with Haaland being replaced at half-time. This followed a similar scenario in their previous match against AC Milan, where Haaland was also substituted at half-time in a 3-2 loss in New York.
Guardiola expressed concern over Haaland's condition, stating that the player was experiencing niggles and discomfort, making it necessary to avoid risking further injury. Guardiola emphasized the importance of managing Haaland's fitness to prevent a prolonged absence from the squad, especially with a significant portion of the team currently on holiday.
Looking ahead, Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, are set to face Manchester United in the Community Shield on August 10 before commencing their League title defense with a challenging fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on August 18.
In a separate development, Jack Grealish shared his disappointment at being left out of the England squad for the European Championship. Grealish described feeling 'heartbroken' upon learning of his omission from Gareth Southgate's squad. The midfielder expressed the difficulty of witnessing the tournament while on holiday and acknowledged the emotional impact of not being selected.
Grealish highlighted the personal challenge he faced and emphasized the need to use this setback as motivation for the upcoming season. Despite his disappointment, Grealish believes he brings a unique skill set to the England squad and expressed his determination to prove his worth moving forward.
Reflecting on his football career, Grealish described this experience as one of the most challenging moments he has encountered. He acknowledged the highs and lows of his journey in football and expressed his resolve to overcome this setback with a renewed sense of purpose.
