Guardiola Responds to Carragher’s Remarks on Haaland at Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola (54) has taken aim at pundit Jamie Carragher for his comments regarding Erling Haaland’s recent injury.

Carragher implied that Haaland’s absence from City’s Champions League loss to Real Madrid was due to a desire to avoid facing Toni Rudiger.

During a segment on the American network CBS, Carragher stated: “Let me get this straight, Haaland approached the manager this morning and said he’s not fit?

“Do you think that might be related to Rudiger’s presence? Is that why he didn’t want to play?

“He’s on the bench, so he can’t possibly be injured. I never went to my manager before a match to say I wasn’t fit.

“So, is he injured or not? Is it what we’re calling Rudiger-itis?”

In response to these remarks ahead of Sunday’s match against Liverpool, Guardiola said: “Oh, really? Did he actually say that? Jamie Carragher? Oh dear.

“I don’t find it amusing. I don’t understand why he would say such things, you know? Did he imply that Haaland didn’t want to play? That’s not fair – and it’s simply not accurate.

“He (Haaland) was eager to participate in the match. He had a knee issue and simply couldn’t play.”