Manchester City’s Premier League top four hopes have taken a major hit after manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Erling Haaland could be sidelined for up to seven weeks with an ankle injury.
The 24-year-old striker suffered the injury during City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Bournemouth on Sunday.
Haaland, who scored City’s equalizer before being forced off in the 60th minute, was later seen leaving the Vitality Stadium wearing a protective boot.
City are now awaiting further assessment from a specialist, but Guardiola revealed on Tuesday that the club expects Haaland to miss the majority of the Premier League run-in.
“Five to Seven Weeks” – Guardiola Confirms Haaland’s Timeline
Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League clash against Leicester City on Wednesday, Guardiola addressed Haaland’s injury.
“They told me the doctors say between five to seven weeks,” Guardiola stated.
“So hopefully by the end of the season and for the Club World Cup, he will be ready.”
While City remains hopeful that Haaland will feature again before the campaign ends, Guardiola admitted it has been a frustrating season for injuries.
“Sometimes there are years when these kinds of things happen,” he continued.
“It happened all season. I’m so sorry for Erling and all the players who have had injuries. I hope for a speedy recovery so he can come back as soon as possible.”
When Will Haaland Return?
Haaland, who has 30 goals in 40 appearances this season, is now set to miss crucial games in City’s push for a top-four finish.
He is definitely out of City’s next two games against Leicester City (April 3) and Manchester United (April 7).
A five-week recovery would see him return for Southampton away on May 10.
If he is out for the full seven weeks, Haaland would be in doubt for the FA Cup final (May 17)—should City advance past Nottingham Forest in the semifinals on April 26.
He could potentially return for City’s final Premier League match against Fulham on May 25.
City’s Champions League and Club World Cup Hopes
Manchester City will fly to Florida for their Club World Cup preparations on June 12, and Guardiola is optimistic that Haaland will be fully fit by then.
City’s first match in the tournament is against Wydad AC (Morocco) in Philadelphia on June 18.
A club statement on Monday confirmed that Haaland had undergone initial tests in Manchester and would now seek specialist consultation to determine the full extent of the injury.
“Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis,” the statement read.
“The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.”
What This Means for City
City currently sits fifth in the Premier League, just one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea and one ahead of Newcastle United.
With nine league games left, Guardiola’s side faces an uphill battle without their star striker.
Omar Marmoush, who replaced Haaland against Bournemouth and scored the winning goal, could now take on a more significant role in the attack.
Manchester City’s Upcoming Fixtures:
April 3 – Leicester City (H)
April 7 – Manchester United (A)
April 13 – Everton (H)
April 20 – Brentford (A)
April 26 – Nottingham Forest (FA Cup Semifinal)
May 10 – Southampton (A)
May 17 – FA Cup Final (If City advance)
May 25 – Fulham (A)
With Haaland out, City’s season-defining weeks just got even more challenging.
Guardiola must now find a way to keep their top-four hopes alive without their most prolific goal-scorer.
