Erling Haaland has been left out of the Manchester City squad for their Premier League clash against Leeds United on Saturday evening as Pep Guardiola's side look to close the gap on Arsenal
Daniel Marsh Senior Sports Reporter and Richard Cusack Sport Central Content Editor
16:47, 28 Feb 2026Updated 16:53, 28 Feb 2026
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland
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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland misses his side's clash with Leeds(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
Erling Haaland has been left out of the Manchester City squad for Saturday evening's away fixture at Leeds United, where a win would allow Pep Guardiola's side to cut the deficit to Arsenal.
The Gunners currently sit five points clear at the top of the Premier League table, though City have the opportunity to pile the pressure on before Arsenal face Chelsea on Sunday afternoon.
However, they will be without their talismanic striker, who is sidelined through injury, with City reporting that he is 'not fully fit' for the clash.
City boss Guardiola made no mention of Haaland at his pre-match press conference but he has spoken before about fatigue affecting the striker, who is engaged in constant battles with defenders throughout the season.
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"We have to try to use it as less as possible, even with man-marking," Guardiola said. "We have make an alternative, not in man- marking, it is long balls against Erling and (Newcastle defender Dan) Burn, otherwise, every three days doing that for a striker like Erling is unsustainable.
"We have to make alternatives to try… still, I have a dream, to play and play and play more that we are playing sometimes, even if with man-marking that is difficult."
Omar Marmoush leads the City attack in his absence, flanked by Antoine Semenyo and Rayan Cherki, as Guardiola's men seek to claim vital points in the title race.
Whether Haaland will be fit in time for Wednesday's clash with Nottingham Forest remains unclear, with reports indicating the striker picked up a minor knock during training on the eve of the Leeds encounter, reports the Mirror.
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Haaland has managed just two goals in his last six Premier League outings, yet the Norwegian international remains the division's top scorer with an impressive 22 goals to his name this campaign.
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