Erling Haaland starts for Manchester City against Brentford in the Premier League.
Haaland is grieving the death of close family friend Ivar Eggja, who has played a key role in his career and was the best man at his dad Alf-Inge’s wedding.
"You are a legend, Ivar," Haaland wrote on Instagram. "Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed! Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar."
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Asked on Friday about Haaland’s availability, Pep Guardiola said: “It’s a tough moment for him and his family. Our thoughts are with him and all of his family. We will see tomorrow if he is mentally and physically able to play.”
Meanwhile, Rodri has not yet played this season following his Euro 2024 excursions but he could be joined by the returning Phil Foden, who has managed just 45 minutes on the opening weekend before being sidelined through illness.
Neither have been missed so far, with City top of the table with three wins out of three, but with the Champions League starting next week, and the visit of Arsenal next Sunday, the return of two key men has come at an ideal time.
It is not all positive news, however, with Nathan Ake set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a suspected hamstring injury he picked up on international duty with the Netherlands. Guardiola confirmed on Friday that the defender is out until after the next international break in October.
Elsewhere, new signing Savinho comes back into the squad having missed the 3-1 win at West Ham on August 31.
Starting Manchester City XI: Ederson; Lewis, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Rodri, De Bruyne, Bernardo; Grealish, Doku, Haaland
Subs: Ortega, Dias, Doku, Rodrigo, Bernardo, Gvardiol, Nunes, Foden, McAtee
Time and date: 3pm BST today on Saturday, September 14, 2024
Venue: Etihad Stadium
