Erling Haaland to miss Man City game after flying back to Norway
Erling Haaland will miss Manchester City's cup game with Watford after being granted time off following the death of a family friend.
Ivar Eggja, who was best man at Alfie Haaland's wedding and was seen as an uncle by Erling, died earlier this month at the age of 59. Haaland was offered compassionate leave by the club at the time but chose to stay and played in games against Brentford, Inter, and Arsenal - scoring three goals in those matches.
With the funeral understood to be in Norway this week, Haaland has been allowed to miss the league cup game and flew back on Monday for it to pay his respects. The 24-year-old is expected to be available to return for Saturday's trip to Newcastle.
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City players rallied around Haaland after learning the news, supporting him in training and sending flowers up to his private box for the match against Brentford at the Etihad. The gestures were appreciated, although defender Manu Akanji thought nothing of the help.
"That’s what a team is for," he said. "We stick together and try to help each other out. It was Erling in this moment but we try to help each other out, lift each other. It’s not just the team-mates, it’s the whole club."
Haaland's goals against Brentford saw him break a Premier League record for the most goals scored in the opening four goals of a campaign (nine) and his strike against Arsenal gives him the record after five matches as well. The Norwegian has enjoyed a flying start after having a summer of rest while most of his teammates were with their national teams at the European Championship.