Norway have confirmed they have sent Erling Haaland back to Manchester City after medical tests revealed the 42-goal striker sustained a groin issue in the 6-0 FA Cup demolition of Burnley on Saturday. The former Borussia Dortmund frontman netted another stunning hat-trick and his eighth goal of the week during the one-sided thrashing of Vincent Kompany’s Championship leaders before complaining of discomfort upon arrival in camp with his national side.
Norway have now confirmed via an official statement that Haaland will be returning back to England to work on his fitness with City’s medical staff – meaning he will not feature in Euro 2024 qualifiers against Spain and Georgia during the international break.
« Erling Braut Haaland had some pain in his groin after the match against Burnley, » The Norwegian FA said.
« We hoped that this was just a familiarity that would carry over to Saturday, but after doing tests and examinations yesterday it became clear that he will not make it to the games against Spain and Georgia.
« ‘It is better that he receives medical follow-up at the club’, says national team doctor Ola Sand. Haaland thus travels home from the national team meeting. »
Norway boss Stale Solbakken explained the decision on Tuesday, adding: « Erling took it hard when he realised that he could not fight for the team. Fortunately, there is still plenty of self-confidence, talent and cohesion in this group to win points in the next matches.
« We are not going to hang on one millimetre but continue our work to be maximally prepared for Saturday and Tuesday. »
There will now be concern Haaland is facing a race against the clock to prove his fitness for City’s crunch Premier League showdown with Liverpool on April 1.
With City now trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by eight points, Pep Guardiola will need his prolific talisman firing if the champions are to close the gap on the high-flying Gunners.
The games are also coming thick and fast for City, who are also still fighting to win the FA Cup and Champions League – the only prize that has continued to elude them during Guardiola’s tenure.
City host Bayern Munich in the first leg of their quarter-final clash on April 11 before travelling to Germany for the return fixture on April 19.
Haaland was taken off in the 63rd minute against Burnley to protect his fitness as eventual goal scorer Cole Palmer entered the fray for the final 27 minutes of action.
The £64million summer signing now has five hat-tricks for City this season having struck 42 times in 37 matches in all competitions at club level.
Speaking after the game, City boss Guardiola revealed there is no goals target for Haaland this season – hinting that the sky’s the limit for the 22-year-old hot-shot.
“I don’t know the number,” he said. “This guy will have a problem in the future because every game, people expect him to score three goals.
“He is so positive in his life and optimistic and when that happens, always good things are going to happen.
“He never complains and as much as he plays well, the goals are there.”
