Erling Haaland Faces Up to Seven Weeks Out with Ankle Injury

Manchester City striker Erling Haaland is sidelined for 5-7 weeks due to an ankle injury sustained during the 2-1 FA Cup win over Bournemouth. He is a doubt for the FA Cup final on May 17 and could miss up to eight games, including key Premier League fixtures and the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.

After being the focal point of Manchester City’s attack this season with 21 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, Erling Haaland has been sidelined due to an ankle injury sustained during the FA Cup quarter-final win over Bournemouth on March 30. The Norwegian striker, who was forced off in the second half and later seen on crutches, is expected to be out for five to seven weeks, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola.

This timeline casts serious doubt over Haaland’s availability for the FA Cup final on May 17, should City overcome Nottingham Forest in the semi-final. If his recovery leans closer to five weeks, he may return in time for the Premier League finale against Fulham on May 25 and the Club World Cup in June. Haaland is set to miss several key fixtures, including league matches against Manchester United, Crystal Palace, and Everton, among others.

Performance expert Stephen Smith suggested Haaland may have suffered a high ankle sprain, a complex injury that could extend recovery to 12 weeks depending on severity. Guardiola remains hopeful for a swift return, acknowledging City’s injury-plagued season while backing Haaland’s resilience. The striker’s absence presents a significant challenge for City as they chase silverware on multiple fronts.