Manchester City striker Erling Haaland was forced off in Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final triumph after Bournemouth and was seen wearing a protective boot later in the evening
Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of Erling Haaland for the Premier League run-in after the Norwegian striker left Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium on crutches on Sunday. He was forced off in the second half of their FA Cup quarter-final triumph with an ankle injury.
Haaland, 24, endured an eventful afternoon down on the south coast. He saw Kepa Arrizabalaga save his penalty in the first half when the tie was still goalless, though he did go on to atone for his miss by plundering City’s equaliser after being teed up expertly by second-half substitute, Nico O’Reilly, in the 49th minute.
Unfortunately for Haaland, his afternoon peaked with his goal as he was forced off injured after his left foot was caught underneath the body of Lewis Cook during a challenge from the Bournemouth midfielder.
The striker did attempt to play on after the blow. But he looked far from comfortable and called to come off just minutes later.
Pep Guardiola was unable to provide any crumbs of comfort when he was asked about the severity of Haaland’s condition after the game, admitting: “I don’t know yet, we’ll have to see.”
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But Haaland was seen just minutes later leaving the stadium on crutches while wearing a protective boot, indicating that he could be set for a spell on the sidelines as City prepare to play out the final games of what has been a sobering season.
Haaland’s injury comes at a time where City could do with their talisman most. After falling well behind Liverpool at the Premier League summit, the champions are in a fight to finish in the top-four with a horde of clubs still in the running to snare a Champions League place. For Guardiola’s men to miss out would be almost unthinkable given their imperious domestic record in recent seasons.
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To cap a rotten day, Haaland was again targeted by Manchester United legend, Roy Keane, who questioned the striker’s ability for a second time after previously claiming his all-round game was that of a “League Two player”.
This time around, the ITV pundit took issue with Haaland’s poor penalty miss. He said: “Haaland missing a penalty, very lackadaisical, then he missed another chance and he’s smiling.
“Man City strolling around the pitch are really getting on my nerves, not a good sign.”
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