Manchester City’s star striker, Erling Haaland, is set to miss up to seven weeks of action due to an ankle injury, leaving a significant gap in the team’s attack, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed.
The injury occurred in the second half of City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory at Bournemouth on Sunday. Haaland, who had just scored his 30th goal of the season to equalize for City, was hurt in a challenge with Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook. The 24-year-old Norwegian forward will now be sidelined for most of the remaining domestic season.
Guardiola confirmed the severity of the injury, stating that the doctors had informed him that Haaland could be out for between five and seven weeks. While City’s hopes of securing Champions League qualification in Haaland’s absence are in jeopardy, there is optimism that he could return in time for the Club World Cup.
“Sometimes there are years where these kinds of things happen, and it’s happened all season,” Guardiola said, referring to the team’s injury struggles. “All the injuries we’ve had this season – I’m so sorry for them and for Erling as well. We want him to recover as quickly as possible and come back. The doctors told me between five and seven weeks, so hopefully for the end of the season and the Club World Cup, he will be ready.”
Haaland’s absence is a major setback for City’s attack as they push for the Premier League title and seek further success in domestic competitions. The forward had been in blistering form, leading City’s charge for top honors, and his absence will be keenly felt in crucial fixtures. Notably, he will miss key games such as the upcoming Manchester derby against United on Sunday and the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest later in April.
The FA Cup final, should City reach it, is scheduled for May 17, just one day short of seven weeks after Haaland’s injury. The final Premier League game of the season will be against Fulham on May 25, followed by City’s first match in the Club World Cup on June 18, where they will face Wydad Casablanca in the United States.
With Haaland unavailable, City may turn to January signing Omar Marmoush, who could be given an extended run in the starting lineup. However, Guardiola acknowledged the difficulty of replacing Haaland’s unique qualities. “We don’t have another player with his skills or his specific qualities,” he admitted. “We know that, but we have to adapt. For many years, we’ve played different ways up front. It depends on the quality of the players. We are going to try to find a solution.”
While Haaland’s injury leaves a significant hole in the City lineup, Guardiola’s tactical flexibility and depth will be put to the test as they look to maintain their form during the final stretch of the season.