Pep Guardiola confirms Erling Haaland return for Manchester City, says pressure at Barcelona 'thousand times tougher'

Pep Guardiola has confirmed Erling Haaland is fit to return for Manchester City ahead of their midweek Premier League clash against Burnley.

The striker has not played since December 6 due to a foot injury, missing 10 games in all competitions.

He recently returned to training and is now available for Man City’s clash with Burnley on Wednesday, which is live on TNT Sports.

“First time he is back,” said City boss Guardiola about Haaland.

“We have all the squad, we are stronger. He is an important player for us.”

Haaland has scored 19 goals in 22 games in all competitions for City this season. His return is a welcome boost for City who have also recently welcomed back Kevin De Bruyne back from injury.

“The most important news is almost all of the squad is fit,” added Guardiola.

“We don't have injuries. Manu [Manuel Akanji] is back. Training well, he doesn't feel his knee. John [Stones] as well.”

City are five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, but have a game in hand.

Guardiola was also asked about his former club Barcelona, who will be on the hunt for a new head coach at the end of the season following Xavi’s decision to leave.

Xavi, who was a mainstay of Guardiola’s great Barcelona managerial era, is stepping down partly because of the mental toll of the position.

"From a mental-health level, it's tough too. I am a positive guy, but the battery levels keep running out - and at some point, you realise there's no point in staying,” he said.

Asked about Xavi’s decision, Guardiola said: “We cannot compare the pressure we have in England to Spain, in my experience.

“It's a thousand times tougher there. Six press conferences a week, a lot of games.

“The pressure you feel in Barcelona is not comparable anywhere else."

Xavi announced his departure shortly after Jurgen Klopp revealed he would be leaving Liverpool in the summer.

Guardiola has been at City since 2016 and says he is not thinking about ending his time with the club soon.

“I have everything a manager could dream of. How they support me. We changed a lot of players in seven years but all of them have been incredibly supportive. Good environment. I have everything.

“I feel good and of course one day it is going to finish but I don’t think about that now.”

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