Manchester City could be without star striker Erling Haaland when they face Manchester United at Old Trafford next week.
Pep Guardiola’s side squeaked through their FA Cup quarter-final clash against Bournemouth on Sunday afternoon with Erling Haaland scoring in a 2-1 victory.
But Haaland, who nearly signed for Manchester United, left the pitch in the second half clutching his left foot after a challenge near the touchline.
After the full-time whistle, Haaland was pictured leaving the Vitality Stadium in a protective boot on crutches. He is now a doubt for next Sunday’s Manchester derby at Old Trafford.
Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Harry Murphy – Danehouse/Getty Images
Manchester City are often better without Erling Haaland
United may regret missing out on Haaland having come so close to signing him as a youngster – since joining arch-rivals City his goalscoring record has been terrifying.
In 138 games for City, he has scored 120 goals – and Haaland frustratingly has a good record when facing United too:
6 goals
3 assists
5 wins
3 defeats
Therefore, United fans may see it as a good thing that Haaland might be ruled out of the Manchester derby next week, but City often play better without him in the team.
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In the 2023-24 season, City were without Haaland for seven games – they won six and drew one. In the 2022-23 season, City missed Haaland for a nine-game streak but still won seven of them including two dominant wins over Chelsea and a 4-1 thumping of Liverpool.
This season, Haaland sat out of City’s 8-0 win over Salford and 2-1 win over Watford. But Guardiola’s side did lose to Real Madrid and Liverpool when Haaland was out.
United legend Roy Keane slammed Haaland as “lackadaisical” on Sunday for his display against Bournemouth. He has also previously suggested that Haaland is “like a League Two player”.
Erling Haaland produced ‘miss of the season’ against Man United
While Haaland’s record against Manchester United is fairly impressive, he hasn’t played particularly well against the Red Devils recently.
He failed to score as United lost the Community Shield on penalties, and went missing when United beat City 2-1 at The Etihad this season thanks to Amad Diallo’s dramatic late winner.
If we rewind to last season, Haaland produced the “miss of the season” against United when he managed to fire a shot over the bar from a few feet out.
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If Haaland misses out, City are also likely to start with January signing Omar Marmoush up front and the 26-year-old has made a fast start at his new club with five goals in his first 11 games.
It will be a difficult match for Amorim’s side regardless of who starts up front for City, but it is a chance for Amorim to do the double over City in his first season – and it would also be his third victory against them after Sporting demolished City 4-1 back in November,