10 December 2023 , 13:59
882
0
Pep Guardiola has conceded he doesn't know when Erling Haaland will be back after confirming the Manchester City striker misses out against Luton Town through injury.
The Norway international, 23, is City's top scorer with 19 goals in all competitions this term but will not participate in Sunday's match at Kenilworth Road due to a bone injury in his foot. World Cup-winner Julian Alvarez will lead the line in his absence.
Haaland's absence comes just weeks before a packed festive schedule which is likely to have a significant bearing on Manchester City's season. Guardiola was unable to offer any guarantees that Haaland would be back promptly, though.
Speaking to Sky Sports before the Luton match, Guardiola confirmed Haaland was injured, explaining: "Bone stress reaction in his feet. After the last game vs Villa, he cannot play. I don’t know, week by week, day by day, we will see what happens."
The champions head into Sunday's match against struggling Luton without a win in four league matches after dropping points against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham in recent weeks. Those three draws were then followed up by a midweek defeat at the hands of Aston Villa.
Chelsea complete record-breaking Enzo Fernandez transfer after deadline day rush
Pundit Michael Dawson told Sky Sports that news of Haaland's absence would "delight" Luton defenders ahead of the match. He said: "You’re delighted when Haaland isn’t playing. He’s unbelievable, of course they will miss him. They [Luton] will have to be alert. They’ve got a replacement in Alvarez, but if you’re a Luton defender, you’re delighted. Haaland just gives them a different option."
Pep Guardiola has admitted that he doesn't know when Erling Haaland will be fit again (Jon Hobley/NurPhoto)In the build-up to the match, Guardiola had piled the pressure on Manchester City's title rivals in the wake of some of the criticism that has been levelled at the champions amid their recent blip.
"What they demand of us, they didn't demand of our friends - at all," Guardiola told reporters. "There is only one team that is going to 'fail' to win the Premier League, that is us. For the rest, (winning) it is a big success. Any team.
"In the end, if they don't win - Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, everyone - it is normal because City should win. It is unfair. It is difficult to handle that every week, every three days, for years and years."