Owen is backing Haal lot of glory
MAIN MAN: Haaland
MAN CITY are favourites to win the Champions League this season – providing they can keep Erling Haaland fit.
That’s according to TNT Sports pundit and former City midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who is backing Pep Guardiola’s men to go the distance in Europe again this term.
Hargreaves (below) said: “They are favourites. They are the best team, they have the best coach and Haaland has started like a house on fire again.
“When you play for a club like City, they expect you to win. Nobody will be thinking, ‘We’ve had great success, let’s take our foot off the gas’ and they will be right there again.”
But, having sold Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid, the fitness of Haaland could yet prove decisive as City have failed to replace the Argentine forward.
Hargreaves added: “If Haaland is injured for a long time you are probably not going to win the Champions League.
“But remember, they also got to the final of a Champions League with no striker.
“Keeping Haaland fit is important but the top guys won’t play all the time.
“It feels like there are too many games now for the top players nowadays.”
Hargreaves has also been impressed by new signing Savinho, who has hit the ground running.
He added of the Brazilian winger: “He’s an amazing player and can play either side.
“He’s smart, technically gifted, skillful and he’s going to hurt a lot of people this year.”
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