Manchester City have released an official statement confirming that striker Erling Haaland has suffered an injury to his left ankle.
The 24-year-old experienced an eventful afternoon on the South coast on Sunday as he missed a first-half penalty before scoring a second-half equaliser in City's 2-1 comeback win over Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Shortly after restoring parity for the Citizens just four minutes into the second half, Haaland landed awkwardly on his left ankle following a coming-together with Lewis Cook and he eventually hobbled off on the hour mark after initially attempting to carry on.
The Norwegian was later seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches while wearing a protective boot and manager Pep Guardiola was unable to provide an update on his condition after the match.
"I saw him on the massage table but I didn't speak with him or the doctors so I don't know," Guardiola told reporters at his post-match press conference. "We will have to see."
Man City have since released a statement on their official website confirming Haaland's injury and reveal whether they expect the striker to return to action before the end of the season.
© Imago
Man City confirm Haaland injury blow - but it might not be season-ending
A statement read: "Manchester City FC can confirm that Erling Haaland has suffered an injury to his left ankle.
"The Norwegian striker sustained the injury during Sunday's FA Cup quarter-final victory away at AFC Bournemouth.
"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 and mancity.com will bring you regular updates regarding his rehabilitation."
© Imago
How many games could Haaland miss? How will Man City cope without top scorer?
Haaland's injury comes as a major blow to Man City and their quest to not only qualify for next season's Champions League but also win this year's FA Cup.
In what has been a disappointing 2024-25 campaign for Man City overall, Haaland has still managed to score an impressive 30 goals in 40 games across all competitions, with his strike against Bournemouth seeing him become the first player since Ruud van Nistelrooy from 2001-02 to 2003-04 to score at least 30 goals in each of his first three seasons for a Premier League club.
Haaland is now in danger of missing Man City's final nine Premier League games of the season as well as their FA Cup semi-final clash with Nottingham Forest at Wembley Stadium on April 26.
Man City's No.9 will not be fit to play in Wednesday's top-flight encounter with Leicester City at the Etihad Stadium, and he will also miss Sunday's Manchester derby against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
The Citizens will also take on Crystal Palace, Everton, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Southampton and Bournemouth before concluding the campaign away against Fulham on May 25.
Guardiola's side currently sit fifth in the Premier League table and just one point behind Chelsea in fourth, while there are only seven points separating the reigning champions from Brentford down in 11th spot.
The absence of Haaland is set to see Guardiola call upon Omar Marmoush, who replaced the Norwegian against Bournemouth and scored what proved to be the winning goal just three minutes after coming off the substitutes' bench.
Marmoush has now scored five goals in 11 appearances for the Citizens since joining from Eintracht Frankfurt in January, including four strikes across his last three Premier League home games.
Oliver Thomas
