Pep Guardiola took a cautious approach with Erling Haaland’s return from injury | OneFootball

Erling Haaland’s return to training late last week was big news for Manchester City. City’s top-scorer suffered an ankle injury during his team’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth. He returned to the Manchester City squad for their 1-nil win over Wolves on Friday night. But Pep Guardiola took a cautious approach with Erling Haaland’s return to the pitch on Friday night. That was a smart move given what remains in this season and this summer for Manchester City.

There is no need to rush Erling Haaland’s return to the pitch.

Speaking after Manchester City’s 1-nil win over Wolves, Pep Guardiola explained that he thought about using Erling Haaland late in that particular game. But he told the media that he took a cautious approach and opted to use other players off the bench instead. In quotes relayed by Chronicle Live, Guardiola said: “I was thinking (about using Haaland), but it was just two training sessions with us, and at that moment, it was a little bit difficult, so I decided for the other type of players.”

There was no need for Manchester City to rush Haaland back on the pitch. He has been out for four weeks and will need time to build his way back to full fitness. There are still three crucial Premier League fixtures for City to win, and an FA Cup final on the horizon against Crystal Palace. Manchester City will also want Haaland fit and firing for the FIFA Club World Cup in June.

If Erling Haaland can complete a week of training he could be back on the pitch against Southampton.

Up next for Pep Guardiola’s side is Southampton at St. Mary’s next Saturday. It looms as another must-win fixture for Manchester City in their bid to secure Champions League qualification for next season. If Erling Haaland can complete a week of training he may return to the pitch against Southampton. That would make sense provided Haaland suffers no setbacks this week at training.

Erling Haaland’s return to the pitch isn’t far away. But Pep Guardiola took a cautious approach with Erling Haaland’s return on Friday night at the Etihad. That was likely a smart move based on the injury Haaland sustained against Bournemouth. But his return isn’t far away and next weekend may see Haaland back on the pitch for Manchester City.