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Erling Haaland starts for Man City against Brentford

Erling Haaland quickly got his name on the scoresheet after being named in the Man City starting XI to face Brentford at the Etihad on Saturday, despite being offered compassionate leave by his manager Pep Guardiola.

Haaland was told byGuardiola that he was be allowed time away from football following the death of Ivar Eggja - a family friend he affectionately called his 'uncle'.

City received a shock in the first minute as Yoane Wissa nodded home after just 22 seconds.

Order was restored as Haaland levelled the scores in the 19th minute, producing a sharp finish on the turn after being fed by Kevin De Bruyne. 

Guardiola, speaking ahead of the game, gave an update on his star man a little over 24 hours out from kick-off.

'[It's a] tough time for him and his family,' the Spaniard began. 'Our thoughts are with him and his family and we'll see tomorrow if he's able physically and mentally to play.' 

Alongside several photos of himself and Eggja, Haaland wrote: 'You are a legend, Ivar. Words cannot describe how much you meant to me! Words cannot describe how much you will be missed!

Erling Haaland was named in the starting XI for Man City's clash with Brentford on Saturday

'I don't give a s***! I don't give a s***! That's exactly what I'm going to do. Thank you for everything, you madman. We will see each other again. Rest in peace, Ivar.'

Haaland trained with his City team-mates later on Thursday but Guardiola made it clear that family comes before football and would allow his star striker to miss Saturday's home game if he wanted to.

Source: dailymail.co.uk

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