Erling Haaland was forced off as Manchester City beat Bournemouth 2-1 in the FA Cup semi-final on Sunday
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has been pictured on crutches ahead of Premier League games with Leicester City and Manchester United this week as Pep Guardiola faces a nervous wait to see if his star striker faces a spell out.
The Norwegian international had an eventful afternoon against Bournemouth on Sunday as he had a first-half penalty saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga in the FA Cup quarter final against the Cherries, as City went 1-0 down seven minutes later to a goal from Evanilson.
Haaland made up for his penalty miss with the equaliser on 49 minutes but was unable to finish the game after going down injured and was replaced by Omar Marmoush on 61 minutes. The Egyptian international made an immediate impact for the visitors as he scored just two minutes after coming on. Guardiola’s side won the game 2-1 to set-up a semi-final with Nottingham Forest, who beat City 1-0 in the Premier League before the international break.
Pep Guardiola gives Erling Haaland injury update ahead of Manchester United clash
Haaland got his ankle caught under Lewis Cook as he also hit into the advertising boards. He tried to play on but was unable to continue before being replaced by Marmoush. Guardiola gave a vague injury update on the player, as he said after the game: "I saw him on the massage table but I didn't speak with him or the doctors so I don't know.”
Video and pictures emerged of Haaland leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches and with his left foot in a protective boot. The striker missed two games in February with a knee problem as City lost 3-1 to Real Madrid in the second leg of their Champions League play-off before then suffering a 2-0 home defeat against Liverpool in the Premier League four days later. Haaland returned for a Premier League visit to Tottenham Hotspur and scored the winning goal in 1-0 victory North London.
He has scored 30 goals in 40 appearances for City this season, while also chipping in with three assists. 21 of his goals have come in the Premier League as City prepare for games with Leicester City and then the Manchester derby with rivals Manchester United this week.
Guardiola reacts to Man City’s FA Cup win over Bournemouth
Reflecting as City reached the FA Cup semi-final for the seventh-straight season, Guardiola said: “We talked a lot and we saw a lot of images that were not in our standard, nowhere near where we had been to have won six Premier Leagues in seven years and seven FA Cup semi-finals in a row.
“And we just focused. It doesn’t matter if we play without wingers today or sometimes we play with wingers, there are minimum requirements that we have to show; respect for your mate, you have to make the effort. And today we did it. I spoke with the team at half-time so we are good. We are in your hands. We conceded just one shot on target.
“That means how Bernardo, Kova, the senior players, the legendary players that give the most incredible things in the club, they make a step up again and made an excellent performance. I’m really pleased to be back at Wembley for a seventh time in a row. An incredible achievement.”