Leeds United fans all in agreement after update on Erling Haaland absence vs Man City
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Credit: Imago Sat 28 February 2026 17:31, UK Erling Haaland won’t play a part as Manchester City face off against Leeds United on Saturday.Pep Guardiola’s side are ready for an Elland Road clash as the Citizens travel to LS11 for the first time since December 2022.Haaland netted two that day as his side secured a 3-2 win in a game that will have meant a lot to the prolific striker.The Norway international is a boyhood Leeds fan, and he likely would have loved to feature in Yorkshire, but it isn’t going to happen this time around.The 25-year-old has been ruled out of the Manchester City squad for the Saturday clash, and the Whites faithful think they know why.Read more: Recruitment expert reveals how PSG can sign Haaland from Man City MORE FOOTBALL INSIDER STORIES Leeds fans joke Haaland simply didn’t want to play against themThere is no secret that the forward is forever going to be linked to the Yorkshire club due to his dad, Alfie Haaland.That has prompted the Norwegian to always suggest that he is a Leeds fan, with a fellow supporter suggesting via X: “Erling Haaland didn’t want to play against the team he supports.”That has been echoed by plenty of other members of the Elland Road faithful, who have made plenty of remarks about the reasoning behind his absence.One suggested that “[Haaland’s] Leeds and he knows he is”, while another said that Haaland is probably “probably in the club shop” instead of playing.The idea that he is missing the game due to his Leeds links is obviously untrue, but Leeds fans are still having their fun on social media.This continues with one fan sharing a winking emoji alongside the message: “Has he injured himself before a Leeds game?”, suggesting that he just wanted to miss the clash in LS11.Has he injured himself before a Leeds game 😉— Martin 🍉 (@martinsross1) February 28, 2026 View Tweet All this has made for funny reading ahead of the Manchester City clash, which is bound to be difficult for the Whites.Read more: Haaland has highlighted exactly how Man City teammates have let him downPep Guardiola confirms why Haaland was absent vs LeedsThere was a surprise among both fan bases at Elland Road when whispers emerged that the striker would be missing the clash.That has since been confirmed by the latest team news, with Guardiola speaking out to reveal exactly why his talisman is absent.🚨🛑 Pep Guardiola on Haaland out: “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”. pic.twitter.com/F1lwAGSYrf— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) February 28, 2026 View Tweet He told Sky Sports: “Two days ago in training, he had some problems and a little injury.
Not a big issue, but not ready for today.“We are without one top striker, and we are playing with another top striker.”As bad as that news is for Man City, it is bound to make for good listening in the Leeds dressing room as Farke hunts for an unlikely win.