It's fair to say that sitting out Manchester City's first game of pre-season was probably not how Erling Haaland would have liked to have started his career in sky blue.
After all the excitement of his unveiling as a City player following his £51m signing from Borussia Dortmund, the anticipation of how he would improve City's attack and the build-up to his debut, the 22-year-old striker did not feature at all in the Blues' 2-1 win against Club America on Wednesday night.
Pep Guardiola confirmed afterwards that Haaland was left out as a precaution, after he had experienced 'niggles' and a couple of issues during the first few days of City's pre-season tour of the United States.
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As you would expect, that sent some supporters into meltdown. Haaland had his fair share of injury issues last season, but for him to pick up an injury just weeks after joining the club would be disastrous.
Guardiola confirmed that his new striker will start Saturday's friendly against Bayern Munich, putting to bed any fears of a more serious problem. But even if that wasn't the case, Haaland sitting out relatively unimportant games is no bad thing.
Through various injuries Haaland missed 16 of Borussia Dortmund's 46 games in all competition last season, with some speculating that his rapid rise at a young age, as well as Dortmund's reliance on him, were factors contributing to his injury issues.
His fitness troubles did not deter City from activating his release clause and offering him a contract worth around £300,000 per week, and this is why: City have not signed him to play every single game.
Guardiola's side were the highest-scoring team in the Premier League last season, bagging 99 goals on their way to a fourth title in five years. With all due respect, they do not need Haaland to beat the likes of Newcastle, Everton or even Manchester United.
Haaland was signed to play in the big games, those where a missed chance can prove the difference between victory and defeat, between seeing out a result and letting the opposition back into the game.
Obviously, it will not be good news if in nine days' time Haaland pulls up in the Community Shield and is ruled out for six weeks with a hamstring pull. But if City are resting him when he doesn't feel 100 per cent then that is the sign of a club taking care of their prized asset, rather than trying to get the most out of every pound they spent on him.
This kind of approach is partly why Haaland chose to join City over Real Madrid. City reportedly convinced him that the Blues would be a better option in regards to his longevity and future career, as they wouldn't make him play every match.
In contrast, it was put to Haaland that at Real Madrid he would likely be expected to start every game, such is the pressure fans and media put on stars at the Bernabeu.
In that regard Haaland made the right decision, as did Julian Alvarez. The Argentinian striker - signed from River Plate in January but who only linked up with City this summer - impressed in his colleague's absence in Houston.
He is still expected to largely play second fiddle to Haaland this season, but he should get plenty of minutes when Haaland is rested, or even alongside him.
Fears that Haaland won't be able to cope with the demanding English schedule, and that Alvarez will wilt in his shadow, have already been allayed after one match.
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