Manchester City will be without striker Erling Haaland for today’s Premier League game with Luton Town.
Respected journalist David Ornstein has today confirmed rumours that were going around last night on social media that the Norwegian will not be with the City squad today for the clash with the Hatters.
City are looking to get things back on track, after losing 1-0 in midweek to Aston Villa.
That followed three consecutive draws against Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
Pep Guardiola needs a win to keep pace with Liverpool, Arsenal and Villa at the top. Liverpool are the new leaders after beating Crystal Palace, with Arsenal losing to Villa.
City are the heavy favourites to win today, but they will have to get the job done without star striker Erling Haaland…
Erling Haaland absent for Manchester City against Luton Town
This morning, David Orsntein of The Athletic has reported that City are going to be without Erling Haaland for today’s game with Luton Town.
Writing on X, formerly Twitter, he said: “Manchester City are without Erling Haaland for today’s trip to Luton Town. Blow for #MCFC not having top scorer as they bid to end run of 4 PL games without a win + close gap on Aston Villa, Arsenal & leaders Liverpool.”
At the moment, there is no information available as to why Haaland is not in the squad today.
It will likely be the first question put to Guardiola before today’s game at Kenilworth Road.
You would imagine that the 23-year-old has picked up some kind of knock, either in the game with Aston Villa or in training. But Pep will no doubt reveal more later today.
Julian Alvarez to lead the line?
This is a big blow for Manchester City ahead of what has become a really big game.
Yes, City are heavy favourites to win and fans would like to think City will have enough without Haaland. But the team’s form right now is obviously not good, so having Haaland unavailable is not good news.
This will surely mean that Julian Alvarez will be pushed up to lead the line in his absence. Hopefully, he will step up to the plate because that is his natural position.
It will therefore be quite interesting to see who comes into that advanced midfield position.
