Pep Guardiola Drops Major Hint on Erling Haaland Injury Ahead of FA Cup Clash

Manchester City are facing an anxious wait over Erling Haaland after the striker was forced off at half-time in midweek, with Pep Guardiola admitting the club will not take any unnecessary risks ahead of this weekend’s FA Cup clash.

Haaland was substituted during City’s Premier League win over Fulham, immediately raising concerns among supporters, especially with a busy run of fixtures ahead. While initial fears have been eased, Guardiola confirmed the Norwegian is still not fully fit and will be assessed before a decision is made on his involvement against Salford City in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

“Erling is not 100 per cent,” Guardiola told reporters. “We will see today how he feels. It is not a big issue, the doctor said to me, but he had some disturbance during the game and that’s why he didn’t play in the second half.”

Those words suggest caution rather than panic, but they also hint that Haaland may be rested, especially given the gulf in quality between Manchester City and their lower-league opponents. City hammered Salford 8-0 in the same competition last season, and with no midweek game next week, Guardiola has a rare opportunity to rotate his squad without risking momentum.

City are still competing on four fronts this season, chasing success in the Premier League, FA Cup, domestic cups and Europe. Having already progressed directly to the Champions League last-16, Guardiola’s side now have a clearer schedule for the next fortnight. That breathing space could be crucial, not only for managing Haaland’s fitness but also for easing other players back from injury.

Haaland’s importance to City cannot be overstated. Even when he is not at his sharpest, his presence alone changes how opponents defend. His movement drags defenders deep, opens spaces for midfield runners and gives City a constant goal threat. Guardiola knows that losing him, even briefly, could disrupt City’s rhythm during a critical stage of the season.

That is why the City boss is expected to err on the side of caution. Against a League Two side, the risk simply does not outweigh the reward. Guardiola has repeatedly stressed the need to protect his players, especially those who have already shown signs of discomfort.

City’s injury list, however, remains a concern. Savinho, Jérémy Doku, Mateo Kovačić and Joško Gvardiol are all currently sidelined, although only Gvardiol is considered a long-term absentee. The others are expected back in the coming weeks, and the upcoming break from midweek action should help speed up their recovery.

There was some positive news in midweek, though, as John Stones returned to the matchday squad for the first time since December. The England defender was named on the bench against Fulham after missing several weeks, and his return offers Guardiola another option at the back.

Even so, Guardiola is unwilling to rush Stones back into the starting line-up. The 31-year-old has struggled with fitness problems over the past 18 months, and City are keen to avoid another setback.

“Last season too was a difficult campaign for him,” Guardiola explained. “Fortunately, it is a long two months. The last game he played was against Leeds. He has already made two or three training sessions and we will see tomorrow if he plays or how many minutes he plays.”

That careful approach reflects Guardiola’s wider philosophy. Rather than pushing players back too early, he prefers to manage minutes and build fitness gradually, especially during periods when the fixture list allows for flexibility.

Against Salford, City are expected to make several changes. Fringe players and squad regulars who have seen limited action recently could be handed starts, while key figures like Haaland may be wrapped in cotton wool. For Guardiola, it is not just about winning this match, but about keeping his squad fresh for the challenges ahead.

The FA Cup still matters to City, but survival and fitness matter more. Guardiola knows that trophies are often decided by who has the healthiest squad in the final months of the season. With Haaland not quite at full strength, there is little reason to gamble.

Whether Haaland features at all remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: City will not rush their star striker back. With bigger tests on the horizon, patience could prove to be Guardiola’s smartest move yet.