Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland was hampered by some "niggles" in Tuesday's pre-season friendly against Barcelona.
The Scandinavian sensation once again featured in the first XI for the showdown with the Catalan giants in the USA, having already made his presence felt against Celtic and AC Milan.
Haaland scored in both of City's opening friendly defeats, but he could not make an impact in the opening 45 minutes against Barcelona, who took a 2-1 lead into the break in Orlando.
Strikes from Pau Victor and Pablo Torre either side of a Nico O'Reilly strike propelled Hansi Flick's side into a slender advantage, before Jack Grealish levelled for the Citizens on the hour mark and Guardiola's side lost the subsequent penalty shootout.
However, Haaland - who seemingly had a perfectly good goal not given - was not present on the pitch in the second 45, coming off at half time for Maximo Perrone in one of two early alterations, the other being a goalkeeping swap between Stefan Ortega and Ederson.
Guardiola admits Haaland is "disturbing something"
Despite it being a pre-season game, Haaland's early substitution still raised a few eyebrows, and Guardiola confirmed to the media at full time that the 24-year-old was dealing with some muscular concerns.
"He got some niggles. He didn't feel good. He is disturbing something, doesn't feel comfortable, we don't want to take risks," the Manchester Evening News quotes Haaland as saying.
"Sooner or later he has to take a step. He has niggles, muscular, don't want to take a risk and lose him for three weeks. That would be a problem.
"Sixty, 70 per cent of the squad are on holiday. At the same time, we have alternatives, Oscar [Bobb] makes an incredible job. We're pleased with many things."
While Haaland was ostensibly wrongly denied a goal with a shot that appeared to cross the line, 19-year-old O'Reilly took his chance with both hands, to the delight of Guardiola.
"He was injured, he had a long injury last season. He comes back, in middle of last season he trains with us, and I said 'Wow, this guy is big.' Normally all the academy players are little Oscar Bobb's," Guardiola added on O'Reilly.
"He is good in the header, so strong in the duels. In attacking midfield you will see him arrive in the positions - holding midfielder, attacking midfielder. From the academy, we are blessed to have these players.
"They have to compete with the other guys, the young players push the older guys. They are hungry, starving. They want to be football players and show they are there."
Could Haaland be a doubt for the new season?
With Guardiola labelling Haaland's Barcelona concern as a 'niggle', Man City fans should not worry themselves about the Norway international potentially missing the start of the new Premier League season.
However, it would not be a surprise to see Guardiola avoid risking Haaland for Man City's closing pre-season game against Chelsea on August 3, seven days before their Community Shield showdown against Manchester United.
