Manchester City’s prolific striker, Erling Haaland, is expected to remain sidelined until the end of January due to a foot injury, as confirmed by manager Pep Guardiola. The 23-year-old Norwegian has been out of action since the defeat to Aston Villa on December 6, and despite initial hopes of a return for the Club World Cup in December, his recovery has taken longer than anticipated. Guardiola attributed the delay to a bone injury, emphasizing the need for time in the healing process.
Haaland, who has netted an impressive 19 goals in 22 club games this season, was ruled out of the upcoming Premier League match against Newcastle. With a 13-day break on the horizon for City, during which they will engage in warm weather training in Abu Dhabi, the striker may miss additional fixtures, including the FA Cup clash against Tottenham on January 26 and the league encounter against Burnley on January 31. Guardiola expressed optimism about Haaland’s return by the end of the month, acknowledging that the recovery period exceeded initial expectations.
Manchester City Adapting in Haaland’s Absence
Despite Haaland’s prolonged absence, Manchester City has maintained an unbeaten streak in the eight games he has missed, including their successful campaign in the Club World Cup. Currently sitting five points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool with a game in hand, Guardiola acknowledged the significance of Haaland in the team, emphasizing that they miss him “a lot.” The manager expressed hope that the star striker would return without complications, allowing him to contribute fully in the remaining months of the season.
In addition to Haaland, City is also facing the absence of centre-back Manuel Akanji, who is likely to miss a similar period after being forced off in the 18th minute of the recent FA Cup win against Huddersfield. Guardiola reassured that Akanji’s injury is not a significant concern but confirmed his absence until the end of the month. As City navigates these challenges, Guardiola remains optimistic about the team’s performance and the eventual return of key players to strengthen their campaign.
