Manchester City striker Erling Haaland started Wednesday's Champions League match against Real Madrid on the bench after not fully recovering from a knee injury. Haaland was not fit enough after hurting his right knee in the team's 4-0 win over Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday.

Pep Guardiola says he does not think the injury which forced Erling Haaland to miss Man City’s Champions League defeat to Real Madrid will keep him out for long. The Norwegian striker travelled with the City squad to Madrid but was not involved in the game because of an injury he suffered in the closing stages of his side’s win over Newcastle on Saturday.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has sparked mixed reactions while leaving fans puzzled with his decision to bench Erling Haaland vs Real Madrid.