Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland missed Manchester City’s narrow 1–0 win over Leeds United on February 28, 2026 as reported by fabrizo romano via their official x handle, after picking up what he described as a “little injury” in training.
Romano posted;
Pep Guardiola: “I don’t know when Erling Haaland will come back”. “It’s not a big injury but he wasn’t ready to play vs Leeds”.
Speaking after the victory at Elland Road, Guardiola admitted:
“I don’t know when Erling Haaland will come back,”
though he reassured supporters that the issue is not considered serious. The Norwegian striker reportedly sustained a minor knee problem during Thursday’s training session, prompting City’s medical staff to take a precautionary approach.
Despite his absence, Manchester City secured a vital three points in the title race. However, Haaland’s fitness remains a key storyline as the season enters a decisive phase.
Even with this short-term setback, Haaland continues to dominate the Premier League scoring charts with 22 goals. Recently, he reached another remarkable milestone scoring at 23 of the 24 Premier League stadiums he has played in. The only ground yet to witness a Haaland goal is Sunderland’s Stadium of Light.
Guardiola has repeatedly praised Haaland’s mentality this season, recently highlighting his resilience and physical battle in a win over Newcastle, even awarding him an internal “Man of the Match” nod for his overall contribution beyond just goals.
Softfootball reported that city’s medical team are monitoring Haaland on a “day-by-day” basis as they prepare for upcoming fixtures, including a crucial league clash against Nottingham Forest and a high-stakes Champions League Round of 16 second leg against Real Madrid CF on March 11.
With Arsenal leading the table and the margins tightening, Haaland’s return could prove pivotal in City’s pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts.
