Jamie Carragher suggests real reason Erling Haaland didn’t start for Man City against Real Madrid

Jamie Carragher raised doubt over the injury that prevented Erling Haaland from starting for Manchester City in their huge Champions League clash against Real Madrid.

‘So let me work this out,’ Carragher said on CBS Sports. ‘Haaland has gone to the manager this morning and said he’s not fit.

‘Do you think that’s got something to do with Rudiger? Is that because Rudiger is playing?

‘He’s on the bench so he can’t be injured. I never went to see the manager on the morning of a game and said I’m not fit.

‘So he’s injured, is he? It’s Rudiger-itis is it? Is that what we’re saying here?’

Ex-Manchester City defender Micah Richards dismissed Carragher’s theory as ‘nonsense’.

‘Look at him, look at his narratives,’ he said. ‘It’s just nonsense. Come on Jamie, you’re better than that, you’re better than that.’

More to follow…