Pep Guardiola insists he only replaced Erling Haaland at half-time in Manchester City's goalless Champions League draw at Borussia Dortmund due to the star striker being ill.
On his return to his former club, where he was given a warm welcome, the Norway international struggled to make an impact during the first 45 minutes and he was surprisingly replaced at the break to make way for Bernardo Silva.
Haaland has started the season on fire after leaving the German side for the Etihad Stadium in the summer, netting an astonishing 22 goals in just 15 games this season.