Manchester City star Erling Haaland had an up-and-down day in the FA Cup this weekend versus Bournemouth, a day that finished prematurely in an up-and-down way with an injury at the Vitality Stadium.
MORE — Erling Haaland’s career stats, video highlights
And the club is going to be without Haaland for the FA Cup semifinal and several huge games in their pursuit of a top-four (or -five) spot.
“The doctors told me between five and seven weeks," Man City boss Pep Guardiola revealed on Tuesday. "So hopefully for the end of season and FIFA Club World Cup he will be ready. Sometimes there are years where these kinds of things happen. It’s happened all season. I would say it could have been different if it was at the end of season."
Haaland scored City's second-half equalizer on Sunday, but that came after the Norwegian had a penalty saved and missed two other chances to open the scoring for the Premier League champions.
MORE — FA Cup schedule | List of FA Cup winners, finals
He then suffered a painful looking injury when chasing a loose ball. Haaland beat Bournemouth's Lewis Cook to it but then felt the falling Cook's weight crash down on the back of his heel.
Man City trainers treated Haaland for some time, and the forward re-entered the game a few minutes later only to sink to the turf and signal for his substitution in the 61st minute. Omar Marmoush took his place and scored within moments of entry.
Pep Guardiola provides Erling Haaland injury update, return timeline
Pep Guardiola did not have much to share after the game when asked about the injury. Guardiola simply said, "I don't know yet" when asked about the big Norwegian's apparent ankle ailment.
But there were then videos which showed Haaland leaving the stadium on crutches with a protective boot on his left foot.
Now City say they plan to see him again this season, naming the summer's Club World Cup as part of the campaign, from mancity.com:
“All injuries that happen all season I am sorry for them and I am sorry for Erling too — as quick a recovery as possible to come back," Guardiola said. “We don’t have another player with his skills or specific qualities we know that but we have to adapt. For many years we play with different ways up front and it depends on the qualities of the players we’re going to find another solution. We will find a solution for the players that we have with different skills and qualities. We will find that.”
How will Man City react without Erling Haaland?
Haaland’s goal was his 30th of the season between the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, a figure that leads Manchester City by a huge margin across all competitions.
Phil Foden is next with 10, followed by Jeremy Doku and James McAtee with six each.
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