Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a brief but hopeful update on Erling Haaland’s fitness ahead of their Premier League clash with Bournemouth, saying simply: “I hope so.”
The Norwegian striker’s fitness has become a growing topic of concern among City supporters after he missed Wednesday’s Carabao Cup win over Swansea City.
Haaland, who picked up a minor knock during last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa, was not included in the matchday squad, prompting questions about his readiness for Sunday’s crucial league fixture.
Guardiola, known for managing his players’ workload carefully, was quick to reassure that the club’s medical team was closely monitoring the striker’s progress.
The City boss has often maintained a clear philosophy about Haaland’s selection: when the striker is fit, he starts. Earlier in the season, Guardiola even joked about the limited chances of resting his star man.
“Maybe at the end when we win the Premier League 10 points in front, 10 games to go, after he will rest,” he said.
Manchester City currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and will face a Bournemouth side that has impressed many this season with their high-intensity football.
The Cherries, managed by Andoni Iraola, have been one of the surprise packages so far and are just four points behind league leaders Arsenal. Their only defeat came in an opening-weekend thriller at Anfield, where they pushed Liverpool to the limit before narrowly losing.
Iraola, a disciple of Marcelo Bielsa’s pressing philosophy, has built a team that mirrors the Argentine coach’s attacking dynamism and relentless energy off the ball.
Bournemouth’s aggressive pressing style has unsettled several top teams this campaign, and Guardiola will know that his side cannot afford to underestimate them.
City, who are still adjusting to life, have relied heavily on Haaland’s goal-scoring prowess. The striker’s impact has been nothing short of extraordinary—he has scored 15 goals in 12 matches across both the Premier League and Champions League.
In stark contrast, no other Manchester City player has scored more than once in those competitions, underlining Haaland’s indispensable role in Guardiola’s setup.
If Haaland is unavailable for selection, City will once again turn to Omar Marmoush, who led the line in midweek against Swansea. The Egyptian forward netted his first goal of the season in that match, helping City to a nervy victory.
Marmoush was signed during the last January transfer window to fill the attacking void left by Julián Álvarez’s departure and offers Guardiola another option either as a lone striker or in partnership with Haaland.
Speaking after Wednesday’s cup win, Guardiola was full of praise for Marmoush’s performance and professionalism despite a difficult start to the season.
“With Erling, he knows perfectly how to be patient, how to be in small spaces, how to be consistent, to go to the ones in behind,” Guardiola said.
“Marmoush has been injured for a long time and of course, playing in the position that Erling plays, and Erling is important, but we know in many games we need both and having him back is so nice.”
The 25-year-old has not started a Premier League fixture since August but could be handed another opportunity this weekend, particularly if there’s no good news about Erling Haaland’s fitness. Coincidentally, Marmoush’s last goal in the Premier League came against Bournemouth—the very opponents City will face on Sunday.
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Meanwhile, as Manchester City enter a demanding stretch of fixtures, Guardiola faces the challenge of maintaining momentum without overburdening his key players.
Erling Haaland’s fitness and durability have been his defining traits since arriving in England, yet Guardiola has repeatedly stressed the importance of managing his minutes to avoid burnout.
The Norwegian’s physicality and relentless drive have been central to City’s recent successes, but with the season still in its early stages, the manager may opt for caution.
Guardiola’s side are not only competing domestically but also seeking to win the Champions League crown, and losing Haaland to injury could prove costly in the long term.
