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Haaland Not 100% Fit Ahead of Sheffield United Clash

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  Published in Sports and Competition on Friday, January 9th 2026 at 4:20 GMT by BBC
      Locales: COTE D'IVOIRE, EGYPT, GHANA

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Manchester, England - January 9th, 2026 - Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Erling Haaland is still not operating at full capacity as Manchester City prepares to face Sheffield United on Saturday. The news comes as a potential blow to the reigning Premier League champions, who are currently locked in a tight title race with Liverpool.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola revealed that Haaland has been battling a lingering issue stemming from the Club World Cup held in Saudi Arabia last December. While the specifics of the injury remain undisclosed, Guardiola acknowledged the discomfort is preventing the prolific striker from reaching his peak physical condition. "He's not fully fit," Guardiola stated plainly. "He has a little bit of a problem since the World Cup."

This isn't a new development. Reports have circulated for weeks regarding Haaland's diminished performance levels, a noticeable dip from the goal-scoring machine that terrorized defenses throughout the previous season. Initially dismissed as simply a mid-season lull, the sustained nature of the problem is now raising concerns about a more serious underlying issue. Guardiola, however, appears to be downplaying the severity, indicating Haaland will still feature against Sheffield United, albeit not at his optimal level. "He is going to play, but he is not 100%," the manager conceded. "We'll see how it goes."

The timing of this injury is particularly problematic for Manchester City. The Premier League season is reaching its critical phase, with points becoming increasingly valuable. Liverpool currently hold a narrow one-point lead, and any prolonged absence or hampered performance from Haaland could prove decisive in the title race. City's upcoming schedule is also demanding, with league matches interspersed with FA Cup and Champions League commitments. Managing Haaland's workload and ensuring he doesn't exacerbate the injury will be a delicate balancing act for Guardiola.

Haaland's impact on Manchester City is undeniable. Last season, his arrival transformed City's attack, leading to a historic treble-winning campaign. His goals were instrumental in securing the Premier League title, FA Cup, and Champions League. Without a fully fit Haaland, City lack a focal point in attack and may struggle to break down defensively organized teams.

Beyond Haaland, Guardiola also hinted that several other players are carrying minor knocks following a congested fixture list. While these injuries are not considered serious, they add to the strain on City's squad depth. This highlights the increasing importance of squad rotation and tactical flexibility. Guardiola will likely need to rely on players like Julian Alvarez and potentially introduce academy prospects to fill the void if Haaland's condition deteriorates.

Sheffield United, meanwhile, are struggling at the bottom of the Premier League table and will provide a seemingly straightforward test for City. However, Guardiola is known for respecting all opponents and will undoubtedly demand a professional performance from his team. The game offers City a chance to close the gap on Liverpool, but the shadow of Haaland's fitness concerns hangs heavy over the Etihad Stadium.

The key question now is whether Guardiola will risk playing Haaland for the full 90 minutes, potentially worsening the injury. Or will he opt for a more cautious approach, substituting him earlier in the game to protect his star striker? The answer could have significant implications for Manchester City's title aspirations. Fans and pundits alike will be closely monitoring Haaland's performance on Saturday, looking for any signs that his fitness is still affecting his game. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether Haaland can regain his peak form and propel City to another Premier League triumph.