The injury to Erling Haaland has raised alarms at Manchester City. In what has already been a challenging season, the Sky Blues now face the final stretch with the FA Cup and, most importantly, their bid for a Champions League spot via the Premier League.
This last objective, the most crucial both sportingly and financially for the club, could become much harder if the Norwegian striker remains sidelined for the rest of the season—a scenario that is far from impossible.
While the club have not given an exact timeline for Erling Haaland's recovery, it seems certain that his left ankle issue will keep him out of upcoming matches against Leicester, Manchester United, Crystal Palace and Everton, all scheduled for the next 20 days in April.
Though losing their top scorer is never good news, it's worth noting that Manchester City's Premier League numbers have been surprisingly strong without Haaland on the field. Their results have been even better, percentage-wise, without him.
Since Haaland arrived at the Etihad in the summer of 2022, he has missed 11 of City's 105 Premier League matches—three in the 2022/23 season, seven in 2023/24, and just one so far this season. Of those 11 matches, the Sky Blues won eight (72.73%), drew one (9.09%), and lost two (18.18%).
Interestingly, one of those losses came at the end of the 202/-23 season - a 1-0 defeat to Brentford, a match that was inconsequential since the Premier League title was already secured and City were resting players for the Champions League final against Inter Milan.
Curiously, these figures are better than City's performance in the Premier League with Haaland, although the overall numbers have worsened this season due to the poor results they have had in recent months.
In total, with Haaland, Pep Guardiola's men have earned 62 wins (65.96%), 17 draws (18.08%), and 15 losses (15.96%) from 94 league matches in which the 24-year-old played.
As they enter the final stretch of the season, Manchester City will aim to continue the positive trend they've shown without the striker, to finish in the top four or, at the very least, maintain their current fifth-place position.
Given the strong performances of English teams in Europe, this fifth spot could still bring the reward of one of the two extra Champions League spots awarded by the UEFA ranking each season.
2022/23 season
Matchday 14: Leicester 0-1 Manchester City
Matchday 29: Manchester City 4-1 Liverpool
Matchday 38: Brentford 1-0 Manchester City
2023/24 season
Matchday 16: Luton Town 1-2 Manchester City
Matchday 17: Manchester City 2-2 Crystal Palace
Matchday 19: Everton 1-3 Manchester City
Matchday 20: Manchester City 2-0 Sheffield United
Matchday 21: Newcastle 2-3 Manchester City
Matchday 29: Brighton 0-4 Manchester City
Matchday 31: Manchester City 4-1 Aston Villa
2024/25 season
Matchday 26: Manchester City 0-2 Liverpool