Man City Injury Blow: Erling Haaland Could Be Sidelined for Seven Weeks – Pep Guardiola Confirms
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Erling Haaland could be on the sidelines for seven weeks with an ankle injury he picked up against Bournemouth in their FA Cup quarterfinal.
The 24-year-old injured his left ankle in City’s 2-1 win Sunday, leaving the Vitality Stadium wearing a protective boot. He will see a specialist this week.
The Norway international scored City’s equalizer before going off in the 60th minute. His replacement, Omar Marmoush, scored the go-ahead goal to advance City to the FA Cup semifinals, where they will face Nottingham Forest on April 26.
City are hopeful Haaland will be able to feature in the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off in June. But Guardiola said he will miss all but the final few weeks of the Premier League season.
“They told me the doctors between five to seven weeks. So hopefully the end of the season and by the Club World Cup he will be ready,” Guardiola said on Tuesday. “Sometimes there are years when these kinds of things happen. It happened all season.
“I would say that it could have been different if it was the end of the season [before the Club World Cup]. So with all the injuries we have had this season, I’m so sorry for them and for Erling as well. So [I wish him] a good recovery, as speedy as possible, then come back.
Manchester City have been dealt a significant setback in their quest for domestic and European dominance, as manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that star striker Erling Haaland could be out for up to seven weeks due to an injury. The news comes at a crucial point in the season, with key fixtures on the horizon in both the Premier League and the UEFA Champions League.
Haaland, who has already missed several games this season due to a foot issue, has been struggling with ongoing discomfort and was recently substituted early in City’s last match. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola addressed growing concerns over the Norwegian’s fitness and delivered a sobering update.
> “Erling has had a recurrence of the problem,” Guardiola said. “It’s not a major injury, but it’s in a sensitive area. The doctors say it could take five to seven weeks depending on how his body responds.”
The Timing Couldn’t Be Worse
City are currently locked in a tight Premier League title race with Arsenal and Liverpool, and Haaland’s absence removes their most lethal attacking weapon from the equation. With 18 goals in all competitions this season, Haaland remains one of the most feared forwards in Europe. His physical presence, off-the-ball movement, and ability to convert half-chances into goals are unmatched in the current City squad.
Guardiola admitted the loss would force the team to adapt.
> “It’s unfortunate, especially at this point in the season. But we’ve been here before. We’ve played without key players and found a way. It’s a challenge, but we’ll handle it.”
Champions League Impact
City are also gearing up for the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League—an objective they are prioritizing this season as they aim to defend their European crown. Haaland’s absence from both legs of the semi-final, if the timeline holds true, would be a huge blow.
The striker was instrumental in City’s UCL run last season, including his five-goal masterclass against RB Leipzig and a vital role in the demolition of Real Madrid in the semi-finals.
With his unavailability, Guardiola may have to lean on Julian Alvarez, who has impressed in a secondary striker role, or use a more fluid false-nine system involving Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne, or Phil Foden.
City’s Squad Depth to Be Tested
If there’s one silver lining for City, it’s their incredible squad depth. Players like Alvarez, Foden, and De Bruyne have all shown they can step up when needed. However, none offer the same unique threat that Haaland brings.
Still, Guardiola remains optimistic.
> “We’ll use the players we have. This team has always found solutions. Erling will recover, and we’ll be ready when he returns.”
For now, City fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery for their talisman as the team faces one of the most demanding stretches of their season without their No. 9.
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