Why is Erling Haaland not playing for Manchester City today against Leeds United in the Premier League?
The Norwegian forward was left out of Pep Guardiola’s XI at Elland Road.


This season there will be no homecoming for Erling Haaland, after the striker was left out of the starting XI against his hometown club.
Manchester City will have to face Leeds without their star striker after Pep Guardiola left him out of the starting lineup in Yorkshire.
What injury does Haaland have? When will he be back?
Ahead of the game, Pep Guardiola explained that: “Two days ago, in the last moments of training, he had some problems, a little injury. It’s not a big issue, but he’s not ready for today”.
While the club have not confirmed the injury, reports suggest Haaland’s knee is the cause of his absence in the side.
Manchester City are fighting for three points to stay in the title race while Leeds are looking to edge even further away from the relegation zone with what would be an historic win against the side that has won everything in English football pver the past few seasons.
Lining up in Leeds! 🫡🩵
— Manchester City (@ManCity) February 28, 2026
XI | Donnarumma, Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Ait-Nouri, Rodri, Bernardo (C), O’Reilly, Semenyo, Cherki, Marmoush
SUBS | Trafford, Reijnders, Stones, Ake, Doku, Nico, Savinho, Khusanov, Foden
🤝 @etihad pic.twitter.com/DiWUGCEr5G
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