Erling Haaland confirms Rayan Cherki status for Brentford vs Manchester City on Snapchat | OneFootball

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland has given a cheeky sneak-peak into Rayan Cherki’s availability against Brentford on Sunday afternoon.

Cherki has spent the last five weeks recovering from an injury sustained in the days leading to Manchester City’s most recent defeat – a 2-1 loss to Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium before the September international break.

The 22-year-old joined Manchester City from Lyon for £34 million in June as newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana sought to bolster the club’s midfield options after the notable departure of Kevin De Bruyne at the end of his contract.

Clubs across Europe were in the race for Cherki, who made a strong impression on his senior France debut in a 5-4 defeat to Spain in the UEFA Nations League in June off the back of a breakthrough campaign for Lyon in Ligue 1.

The Frenchman starred in his first set of Manchester City appearances at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in the summer, also scoring on his Premier League debut off the bench in a 4-0 win away at Wolves.

However, City and Guardiola have missed their most exciting addition of the summer transfer window since the September international break, having recouped after a miserable start to the season that brought back memories of City’s underwhelming 2024-25 season.

Guardiola has admitted to be taking caution with bringing Cherki back into action since the France international returned to full first-team training a few weeks ago, with Manchester City’s medical team ensuring that the attacking midfielder is ready to play to avoid further fitness setbacks.

Guardiola provided a vague fitness update on his squad in a press conference on Friday and there have remained questions over when Manchester City fans will witness the return of Cherki – who has not played since City’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on matchday two of the Premier League campaign.

It has now been confirmed via the very reliable Erling Haaland that Cherki has flown with the Manchester City squad to west London for Sunday’s Premier League meeting with Brentford, with the Norwegian sharing a picture of him sitting alongside Cherki on the team jet to London on his ever-interesting Snapchat account.

Haaland’s Snapchat has been a source of entertainment for Manchester City fans since the summer, with the Norwegian giving an interesting peak through the curtain into his life on and off the pitch, post-match recovery and meals and even abuse hurled at him by kids supporting rival teams.

It is unlikely that Cherki starts against Brentford on Sunday but Guardiola could bring the 22-year-old off the bench to give him a run out as he manages his new signing’s workload and gives him ample time to ease his way back to match fitness.

Manchester City have not suffered defeat since the end of August and Guardiola will be hopeful that his side can maintain their recent momentum and pick up all three points from west London after being held by AS Monaco in mid-week.

This is a developing story. More to follow.