Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has withdrawn from international duty due to a groin injury.
At this stage, it is not known how long the 22-year-old will be out for but fans on Twitter are concerned about the impact it may have on the club’s title challenge:
Nooooo
— Kyle🥳 (@kylemcfc2003) March 21, 2023
just as we began to cook 😭
— Adam (@mcfc__adam) March 21, 2023
Absolutely hate international breaks 🥱
— beth💙 (@itsbethmoore) March 21, 2023
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
— André❄ (@andre_luthuli) March 21, 2023
LMMMMMAAAOOO SEASON OVER
— CTID💎 (@misfermo2) March 21, 2023
Just unbelievable
— Balogun Agbede Oluwasegun 🌹🪷 (@BalogunAgbede) March 21, 2023
Hope it’s not serious
— Civilian (@jknamespace) March 21, 2023
Just as he was getting his rythm back
— 🙂 (@bis2_m) March 21, 2023
It could well be the case that Haaland has pulled out of international duty simply as a precaution. However, Norway are playing two European Championship qualifiers this week so that is unlikely.
With Liverpool coming up in just ten days’ time, there will be concerns about whether he will be ready in time. City need to have all their best players fit if they are to chase down Arsenal, who currently hold an eight-point lead at the top of the table.
Julian Alvarez has shown he is well capable of leading the line in Haaland’s absence, but there is no doubt that manager Pep Guardiola would much rather have his 42-goal striker available.