Manchester City’s title hopes have taken a significant hit as star striker Erling Haaland has been ruled out for the next five to seven weeks due to an ankle injury. The Norwegian forward suffered the setback during City’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final victory over AFC Bournemouth on March 30, 2025. Haaland, who has been a vital part of City’s attack this season with 21 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches after the match, raising concerns about his fitness for upcoming fixtures.
Head coach Pep Guardiola confirmed the severity of Haaland’s injury, stating, “They told me the doctors estimate between five to seven weeks.” This timeline casts doubt on Haaland’s availability for the FA Cup final on May 17, should City manage to advance past Nottingham Forest in the semi-finals. If all goes well, he could potentially return for the final Premier League match of the season against Fulham on May 25, before the Club World Cup scheduled for June and July.
In the immediate future, Haaland’s absence will be felt as City prepares for crucial matches in the Premier League, including fixtures against Leicester City, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Everton, and Wolves. If he is sidelined for the full seven weeks, he will also miss a Premier League clash against Southampton and the potential FA Cup final.
Guardiola expressed his disappointment regarding the injury, saying, “We’ll miss him, but injuries are part of football.” The manager also acknowledged the impact of injuries on the team’s performance this season, noting, “Sometimes there are years when these kinds of things happen.”
As City gears up for the Manchester derby this Sunday against their fierce rivals, Manchester United, the team will have to find a way to cope without their top scorer. In Haaland’s absence, January signing Omar Marmoush has stepped up, scoring in City’s recent win over Leicester. Guardiola praised Marmoush’s adaptability, saying, “Omar has shown he can deliver in crucial moments.”
Marmoush’s clinical finishing will be essential as City seeks to secure a vital win at Old Trafford. The stakes are high, with City currently sitting in fifth place, just one point behind Chelsea in the race for the top four. A victory in the derby could propel them into a Champions League qualification spot, but without Haaland’s physicality and goal-scoring prowess, Guardiola may need to adjust his tactics.
City’s tactical approach may shift to a fluid false-nine system, relying on the creativity of Kevin De Bruyne and the versatility of Phil Foden to unlock United’s defense. United has shown vulnerabilities this season, conceding 45 goals, which could provide City with opportunities to capitalize on their rivals’ shaky backline.
While Haaland’s absence is undoubtedly a setback, City’s depth has cushioned the impact. The team remains unbeaten in their last six league matches, with Marmoush and Julián Álvarez sharing the scoring burden. However, injury analyst Stephen Smith cautioned that syndesmosis injuries require patience, stating, “Every step risks re-injury.”
As City navigates this challenging period, the focus will be on collective grit rather than individual brilliance. The upcoming matches will test the team’s resilience and adaptability, as they aim to maintain their title charge in the Premier League.
Looking ahead, the pressure is on City to perform without their star striker. The next few weeks will be critical in determining their fate in both the Premier League and the FA Cup. With Haaland sidelined, all eyes will be on how Guardiola’s squad responds to the challenge and whether they can continue to push for silverware this season.
