Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will see a specialist after suffering an ankle injury in Sunday’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth.
City say they expect Haaland to return before the end of the season – including for this summer’s Club World Cup tournament in the United States.
But Pep Guardiola will lose another important player as he aims to get City in the Champions League next season, with the Norwegian striker joining Rodri, Nathan Ake, John Stones and Manuel Akanji on the treatment table.
A City statement on Monday evening read: “Manchester City FC can confirm that Erling Haaland has suffered an injury to his left ankle.
“Erling underwent initial tests in Manchester on Monday morning and will now seek specialist consultation to confirm the full extent of the injury.
“Assessment remains ongoing to ascertain a full prognosis. The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.
“Everyone at the club wishes Erling a speedy recovery.”
City boss Guardiola is expected to give more information on Haaland’s injury on Tuesday at his 12.30pm news conference, which will be live on Sky Sports News, looking ahead to City’s Premier League game against Leicester.
Haaland was forced off in Sunday’s 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, having earlier scored City’s equalising goal in the comeback triumph.
Shortly after the Norwegian striker put City on level terms, Haaland’s left foot was caught under a challenge from Cherries midfielder Lewis Cook.
He initially carried on but was eventually replaced by Omar Marmoush, who went on to score City’s winner.
Race for CL – Man City’s upcoming fixtures
- April 2: Leicester (h)
- April 6: Man Utd (a) – live on Sky Sports
- April 12: Crystal Palace (h)
- April 19: Everton (a)
- April 26: Nottm Forest (n) – FA Cup semi-final
- May 2: Wolves (h) – live on Sky Sports
Analysis: Man City are unrecognisable from last season
Sky Sports’ Sam Blitz:
Pep Guardiola will be ruing this Manchester City season with a vengeful fist. Could this season have gone any worse for the serial winner?
City already had to settle for being 22 points off the top of the Premier League. Now their best player will miss the final matches of a Champions League qualification race they are not in charge of.
Haaland was just getting back into form. His mid-season blip was behind him – with 14 goals in his last 17 games for club and country.
City will now have to navigate the waters ahead without him. They are boosted by the fact that fifth place will all but surely secure Champions League qualification – but they are not even assured of that, with sixth-placed Newcastle one point behind them with a game in hand.
City do have a suitable replacement in Omar Marmoush – who justified his City striker credentials by scoring immediately after replacing the stricken Haaland.
But with Rodri sidelined, the defence of Stones, Akanji and Ake injured, Kyle Walker loaned to Italy and the trio of Ederson, Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne struggling for form, fitness and confidence – City are absolutely unrecognisable from last season.
What and when is the Club World Cup?
Kaveh Solhekol discusses the news that the winners of the Club World Cup this summer will receive up to £97 million from FIFA, with £774 million to be shared between the 32 clubs.
The expanded FIFA Club World Cup takes place in 2025, with Manchester City and Chelsea – plus Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami – involved.
Defending champions City have been grouped with Juventus, as well as UAE side Al Ain and Moroccan team Wydad AC in Group G.
The new-look Club World Cup will feature 32 teams and will be played every four years from the summer of 2025. It is an expansion of the previous version of the tournament, which took place every year and involved just seven teams from around the world.
The tournament starts on June 15, with the final taking place on July 13.
The winners of the Club World Cup will receive up to £97m ($125m) from FIFA.
