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Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been given leave to travel back to Norway to attend a family friend's funeral, according to Manchester Evening News. He will miss City's Carabao Cup match against Watford on Tuesday, September 24.
Haaland has had an excellent start to the 2024-25 campaign. He has already scored 10 goals in Manchester City's first five Premier League fixtures, setting a new record.
He also scored his 100th goal for City in his 105th appearance; a 2-2 draw against Arsenal on Sunday, September 22. He matched Cristiano Ronaldo's record at Real Madrid for the fewest games needed to hit the century mark for a single club.
While he has been in red-hot form for Manchester City, Erling Haaland is dealing with personal problems off the pitch. Ivar Eggja, the best man at his father Alfie Haaland's wedding and an uncle figure for the star striker, passed away earlier this month.
While Haaland was permitted to return to Norway following Eggja's death, the 24-year-old decided to remain in Manchester and continue playing for City. Eggja's funeral is reportedly set to take place in Norway this week.
Erling Haaland flew back to his home country on Monday, September 23, to attend the funeral. As a result, the superstar forward will miss Manchester City's clash against Watford in the third round of the Carabao Cup.
However, the Norway international will return for City's league fixture against Newcastle United on Saturday, September 28.
Arsenal star Gabriel Magalhaes reacts after Erling Haaland launches ball at his head in Manchester City draw
Arsenal traveled to Manchester to face the defending champions at the Etihad this weekend. After going 1-0 down in the ninth minute, courtesy of Erling Haaland's opener, the Gunners turned things around and took the lead.
Riccardo Calafiori's exquisite strike (22') and Gabriel Magalhaes' header (45+1') in added time put Arsenal 2-1 up at the end of the first half. John Stones found the back of the net in stoppage time of the second period (90+8'), grabbing a point for Manchester City.
After Stones' goal, Erling Haaland could be seen launching the ball at Magalhaes' head in an emphatic celebration for the equalizer. Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, the Brazilian defender was asked about the incident.
He said (via Metro):
"No, I don’t remember it. I don’t remember it. It’s normal. But anyway, congratulations to the team for the draw. As I said, battle, war, provocation is normal in football and it is part of the game. It’s over now. Now we are waiting for them at our house."
