Erling Haaland
Madrid, Spain – October 21, 2025: Champions League match between Villarreal FC and Manchester City played in Villarreal. Manchester City players during the match.
Norway manager Ståle Solbakken has explained Manchester City’s Erling Haaland won’t be part of his squad against the Netherlands.
The national team have qualified for the World Cup and have two friendlies against Ornaje and Switzerland in the ongoing international break.
Norway face the Netherlands at Johan Cruijff ArenA on Friday, and the Manchester City star won’t be considered.
Solbakken wants to rest the striker and have him return to the squad against Switzerland on March 30th. This is decision is to manage his workload, after an extensive season with Pep Guardiola’s side.
The 25-year-old, who has been leading the Premier League side’s attack, played 3,418 minutes from 43 matches, scoring 30 goals and contributing seven assists. On Sunday, he played the full 90 minutes in his side’s 2-0 EFL Cup final win over Arsenal at Wembley.
Haaland missed Manchester City’s win over Leeds United last month. That is the only league match he hasn’t featured in this season and below are some of his league stats.
|Premier League 2025/26||
|---|
|Starts|28|
|Minutes|2418|
|Minutes per game|83|
|Goals|22|
|Assists|7%|
Special treatment for Manchester City player
Erling Haaland
TV2 in Norway caught up with Solbakken, who explained the importance of managing the frontman’s workload.
“We take into account the total strain Erling has had over a long, long time and have concluded that the best solution for all parties is for him to take a necessary break now,” he said.
“Our conclusion is that it is best for Erling to be involved in one of the matches this gathering, and then we think it would be nice if he could show himself to the Ullevaal crowd against Switzerland.”
Norway will return to Oslo on Saturday and that’s when Erling Haaland will join the squad. The national team boss admits giving special treatment to his star.
“It is special treatment. Precisely because of what Erling has been through both on and off the field. There is a lot of pressure on him, and for me it is by far the most important thing that he delivers in the World Cup in June,” Solbakken explained.
Beneficial for Guardiola’s side
Pep Guardiola
Solbakken’s decision with Erling Haaland can help the Citizens, in their efforts to win two more domestic competitions this season.
Manchester City are second, nine points behind leaders Arsenal, with a game in hand. In the FA Cup, Guardiola’s side face Liverpool in the quarter-final at the Etihad on April 4th.
The Norway international can take advantage of the rest this week to recharge himself for Manchester City’s upcoming fixtures until the end of this season.
Last month, Sport Witness relayed news from Spain that the Norwegian is an option for Barcelona.
His contract lasts until 2034 and that puts the English club in a comfortable position to retain him. Transfermarkt value him at €200m.
🇮🇹 Wesley | Manchester City pieces falling into place
➡️ Suspicion would be Roma are building sale
🔵 Brazilian could suit Pep’s system
📈 Salary temptation a good angle for #MCFC https://t.co/XhWt1Z2Gig
— Sport Witness (@Sport_Witness) March 5, 2026