Manchester City’s quest for silverware has suffered a major blow as star striker Erling Haaland has been ruled out for up to seven weeks with an ankle injury. The Norwegian forward picked up the injury during City’s FA Cup quarterfinal victory over Bournemouth, where he had already scored before being forced off in the 61st minute following a collision with Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook. Despite initial hopes of a minor knock, post-match scans and specialist consultations confirmed a more serious issue.

Haaland’s absence comes at a crucial time for Pep Guardiola’s side, who are pushing to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League. The team currently trails Chelsea by just one point with nine league matches remaining. Haaland has been a key figure in City's campaign, scoring 21 goals in 28 Premier League appearances and consistently leading the line with his trademark power and precision.

Manager Pep Guardiola expressed his concern over the timing of the injury but remained hopeful that Haaland could recover in time for the FIFA Club World Cup, which kicks off on June 14. Guardiola stated that the player is undergoing a careful rehabilitation process, with no exact return date yet confirmed. The club is prioritizing a full and thorough recovery to avoid further setbacks.

With Haaland sidelined, Guardiola will turn to other attacking options such as Julian Alvarez, Phil Foden, and Bernardo Silva to keep the team competitive in the Premier League and FA Cup. The striker’s absence also places increased pressure on City’s squad depth as they approach the final stretch of the season.

Although the club has not officially announced when Haaland will return, the expectation is that fans and teammates alike will be eagerly anticipating updates on his recovery. His presence on the pitch has become synonymous with City’s attacking threat, and his absence will surely be felt across every competition they remain in.