Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is set to miss up to seven weeks of action after suffering an ankle injury during his team’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Bournemouth. The 24-year-old Norwegian forward was forced off the pitch after scoring his 30th goal of the season in City’s 2-1 win on Sunday.
Manchester City confirmed on Monday that Haaland would see a specialist but noted that he is expected to return before the end of the season. The club also stated that he should be fit for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup this summer.
Speaking on Tuesday ahead of City’s Premier League clash against Leicester, manager Pep Guardiola provided an update on Haaland’s condition.
“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks,” Guardiola said. “So hopefully for the end of the season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready.”
Guardiola noted that injuries have plagued City throughout the season, with key players missing significant periods. One of the most notable absences has been Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, who has been sidelined for much of the campaign.
Haaland’s absence is a significant blow for Manchester City as they compete for a spot in next season’s Champions League. City currently sit fifth in the Premier League, a position that could still secure them a place in Europe’s top club competition due to strong performances by English teams in continental tournaments.
The team has nine Premier League matches remaining, along with an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest later in April. If Haaland misses the full seven weeks, he will be unavailable for most of the remaining league games. The FA Cup final is scheduled for May 17, just one day short of seven weeks after his injury, while City’s final league match against Fulham will be on May 25. Haaland is also expected to be fit for the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in the United States on June 18.
Guardiola acknowledged that City do not have another player with Haaland’s unique qualities but stressed that the team must adjust to his absence.
“We need players with other qualities and we have to bring more players close to the box,” he said. “Erling’s numbers again have been exceptional, and he is an incredible threat for many things with long balls and his sense of goal, but we have to adjust. We will find a solution for the players that we have with different skills and qualities.”
Despite the setback, Guardiola remains confident in his team’s ability to secure a Champions League spot.
“We had in the past much tougher than this one,” he noted. “When you have to win 16 or 17 games to win the Premier League, don’t tell me it’s not a tough one.”
Guardiola also pointed out that this is one of the few seasons during his time at City where the team has had to fight for a Champions League place rather than competing for the league title itself.
“We have nine games left, and we know what we have to do,” he said.
