Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that star striker Erling Haaland will be sidelined for five to seven weeks due to an ankle injury sustained during the FA Cup quarter-final victory against Bournemouth as reported on the official City website. Haaland, who scored City’s equaliser before being forced off in the 61st minute, left the Vitality Stadium wearing a protective boot and using crutches.
Speaking ahead of City’s Premier League clash with Leicester, Guardiola expressed his disappointment over losing such a key player at a crucial point in the season. “The doctors told me between five and seven weeks. Hopefully, he’ll be ready for the end of the season and the FIFA Club World Cup,” Guardiola stated. He added that injuries have been a recurring issue for City this season, lamenting Haaland’s absence while wishing him a swift recovery.
Haaland’s injury comes as a significant blow to City’s ambitions in both domestic and international competitions. The prolific striker has netted 30 goals in 40 appearances this season, making him an irreplaceable asset in Guardiola’s system. With nine Premier League matches remaining, including pivotal fixtures such as the Manchester derby and a FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, City will need to adapt quickly to maintain their push for a top-four finish.
Guardiola acknowledged the challenge of replacing Haaland’s unique qualities but remained optimistic about finding solutions within the squad. “We don’t have another player with his specific skills, but we’ve played with different approaches up front before. We’ll adapt and find ways to bring players closer to the box,” he explained.
Despite the setback, there is hope that Haaland could return in time for the FA Cup final on 17 May, should City progress, or for their final Premier League matches. His recovery will also be crucial for City’s campaign in the FIFA Club World Cup, which begins in June. For now, Guardiola and his team must navigate this challenging period without their talismanic striker.
