Manchester City forward Erling Haaland is anticipated to be out for most of the remainder of the season after sustaining an ankle injury during the club’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Bournemouth. The Norwegian international had to be withdrawn from the game and was later seen using crutches, with his ankle encased in a protective boot, raising concerns about the seriousness of the issue.
City has confirmed that Haaland injured his left ankle but has not specified a timeline for his recovery. While the club remains hopeful he will return before the campaign concludes, no exact date has been provided. A statement from the team indicated that further medical assessments are required to determine the full extent of the damage.
“Erling underwent initial examinations in Manchester on Monday morning and will now consult with specialists to establish the severity of the injury,” read an official statement. “The evaluation is ongoing to provide a complete diagnosis. The expectation is that Erling will regain fitness in time to contribute later this season, including the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.”
The injury is a major setback for City as they push for a strong finish in the Premier League. With only nine matches remaining, beginning with Wednesday’s fixture against Leicester City, the absence of their prolific goal-scorer could prove challenging.
Reports indicate that Haaland is unlikely to feature until late in the season, meaning he will miss several key matches, including the highly anticipated Manchester derby against United on April 6. There are also doubts over whether he will recover in time for City’s FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest on April 26.
City’s fight to secure a Champions League spot for next season has become even more difficult with Haaland’s injury. Following their elimination by Real Madrid in the play-off stage, the club must secure a top-four finish in the league to qualify for Europe’s elite competition next season.
Losing their top striker at such a critical time could impact their performances, placing additional pressure on Pep Guardiola’s squad to find alternative attacking solutions. The team now faces a crucial period where every match carries significant weight in their push for a Champions League berth.
