Erling Haaland, the prolific striker for Manchester City, is poised to return from a lengthy injury spell according to his manager, Pep Guardiola. The 24-year-old forward has been out of action since March due to an ankle injury sustained during an FA Cup match against Bournemouth. His comeback comes at a crucial time as Manchester City prepares for the FA Cup final later this month, specifically set for May 17, where they will face Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium.
Last week, Haaland watched from the sidelines as Manchester City secured a vital 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, which significantly bolstered their campaign for the UEFA Champions League. Guardiola’s remarks ahead of City’s fixture against Southampton highlight his optimism about Haaland’s fitness: “He is ready, he is fit. [If he will] start, we will see tomorrow.” This statement has revived hopes among City fans and the team as they continue to push for a top-five finish in the Premier League, essential for qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
At this juncture in the league, Manchester City sits third on the table, just three points clear of sixth-placed Nottingham Forest. With the stakes high, securing a win against Southampton is crucial not only for their league standing but also for the momentum heading into the FA Cup final. Following their match against Southampton, City will also face Bournemouth and Fulham in their final league fixtures of the season.
In a frank discussion with ESPN, Haaland expressed his thoughts on the club’s performance this season. He acknowledged that Manchester City’s disappointing trajectory, especially following a successful run that saw them clinch four consecutive league titles, could be attributed to a lapse in “hunger” within the squad. “You can find excuses, injuries, many injuries at bad times, but in the end we haven’t been performing well enough,” he remarked. He took some responsibility, admitting, “I haven’t been good enough. I haven’t helped the team enough. In the end, we haven’t been good enough.”
Indeed, Haaland has recorded an impressive tally this season, scoring 21 goals in 28 Premier League appearances, making him the only Manchester City player to reach double figures in the competition thus far. Overall, across all competitions for the 2024-25 season, he has netted 30 goals and provided four assists, demonstrating his continued prowess as a scorer despite his recent absence from the pitch. Nevertheless, Haaland is still seven goals shy of Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah in the race for the Premier League’s Golden Boot award, which he has won for the past two consecutive seasons.
Guardiola’s response to Haaland’s candid reflections was insightful; he suggested that the team’s players should engage with one another to address the underlying issues affecting their performance. Following his return from injury, it remains to be seen how Haaland will reintegrate into the team dynamics as they strive to recapture their form.
The excitement surrounding Haaland’s return is palpable, not just for Manchester City’s ambitions this season but also for the upcoming challenges they face. As they hope to reclaim their status as one of Europe’s elite teams, much will ride on not only Haaland’s contributions but the overall health and motivation of the squad as they push toward the conclusion of a tumultuous yet defining season.