Erling Haaland demands to be subbed in another blow for Manchester City

Erling Haaland asks for substitution and was seen limping during the game (Picture: AFP)

Manchester City appear to have suffered a major injury blow after Erling Haaland demanded to be subbed off during his Norway clash with Portugal.

The Norwegian goalscorer signalled to the bench to be taken off in the 67th minute of the last gasp Nations League 2-1 defeat to the Portuguese.

The 26-year-old came close to putting his side ahead before falling to the floor.

The superstar striker was seen limping off to be replaced by Crystal Palace’s Jorgen Strand Larsen.

But Haaland returned to the Estadio do Dragao pitch to applaud the fans without his socks on.

Brentford’s Kristoffer Ajer controlled Martin Odegaard’s floated cross before striking a half-volley into the top corner to put the Vikings up.

Just minutes later, Joao Cancelo collected Nuno Mendes’ long throw-in and smashed home to equalise in Seleção das Quinas’s first game since Cristiano Ronaldo left the camp to retire.

Haaland went close for Norway – just before he was replaced.

Then it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s successor Goncalo Ramos who won the match poking in from close range after Joao Felix squared the ball with just 11 minutes left.

There will be fears over whether Haaland will be fit enough to return to Manchester City’s tough trip to Anfield on Sunday – the first match since the club were found guilty of all charges of breaching the Premier League’s financial regulations.

Erling Haaland returned to the pitch without socks on (Picture: Getty Images)

An independent commission has found that City arranged ‘sham contracts’ and had been ‘relying on sham agreements to artificially inflate the club’s revenues and reduce its costs’.

City have been accused of artificially inflating the club’s commercial revenue by £830 million between 2009 and 2018.

Guardiola broke his silence by backing City’s owners and told supporters ‘we will get through this together’ and may even be present at the game to show his solidarity.

In his message on social media this week, Guardiola posted a picture alongside City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and wrote: ‘I want every single Manchester City fan across the world to know I am here; more than ever.

‘I am, always have been, always will, be behind my club, my owner, my chairman, Ferran [Soriano, CEO], the players, staff, Enzo [Maresca] and you, our unique supporters. Let me be clear – we will get through this together. I love you all.’

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