Manchester City delivered a spectacular comeback victory over Crystal Palace on Saturday, overcoming a two-goal deficit to secure a thrilling 5-2 win at the Etihad Stadium. Despite the excitement and relief of taking home all three points and climbing back into the Premier League’s top four, the match left fans with a lingering concern—injuries to several key players, including goalkeeper Ederson.
With the business end of the season fast approaching and City still in the hunt across multiple competitions, any potential setbacks to Pep Guardiola’s squad could have significant implications. In this detailed injury update, we look at the latest information on the club’s sidelined stars, including expected return dates, status updates from Guardiola, and what it all means for City’s title aspirations.
On paper, the scoreline told the story of a dominant Manchester City display. But the reality was more complex. After early goals from Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze and Chris Richards stunned the home crowd, City clawed their way back into the match with first-half goals from Kevin De Bruyne and Omar Marmoush. The second half saw Mateo Kovacic, James McAtee, and youngster Nico O’Reilly complete the turnaround.
City showed resilience, depth, and tactical flexibility—hallmarks of Guardiola’s tenure—but the win was slightly overshadowed by fitness concerns, especially with a congested schedule looming. The Premier League race is tight, and with European and domestic cup competitions still in play, maintaining squad fitness is paramount.
Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper, Ederson, raised alarms after going down in the second half of the match against Palace. The Brazilian international required treatment on the pitch and was subsequently substituted for Stefan Ortega. While he was later spotted on the bench before the final whistle—suggesting the injury might not be serious—questions remain about whether he’ll be fit for the upcoming fixtures.
There has been no official word from the club regarding the exact nature of the injury, but Guardiola is expected to address the media in the coming days. For now, Ederson’s availability is listed as day-to-day.
Possible Return Date: Unknown (TBD following further assessment)
One of City’s standout performers this season, Phil Foden, was absent from the squad that faced Palace. The young Englishman picked up a knock during the Manchester derby and was seen limping off the pitch toward the tunnel. Guardiola confirmed before the Palace match that Foden had not recovered in time, but described the issue as minor and expected him to return soon.
City’s medical staff appear confident that Foden will be ready for selection ahead of the Blues’ next Premier League clash, away at Everton.
Star striker Erling Haaland sustained an ankle injury during City’s FA Cup quarter-final victory over Bournemouth. The Norwegian was forced to come off early in the match, sparking concerns about his availability during the final stretch of the season.
Manchester City issued an official statement confirming the injury to Haaland’s left ankle, adding that he underwent initial testing in Manchester and is now undergoing further consultations with specialists to determine the severity. While the club remains optimistic he will return before season’s end, there is no definitive timeline as yet.
The statement concluded with a hopeful message: “The expectation is that Erling will be fit in time to play a further part in the remainder of this season, including this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup.”
Possible Return Date: Unknown (Targeting a return before the end of the season)
Nathan Aké’s season has been plagued by repeated injuries, the latest being a foot issue sustained during City’s FA Cup fifth-round encounter with Plymouth Argyle. The Dutch defender was substituted at half-time, and after medical evaluation, it was confirmed that he required surgery.
Guardiola provided a candid update, stating: “Ten to eleven weeks, they said. When it is surgery, it is pretty serious and something wrong happened. He struggled a lot this season with problems in his feet, and it happened.”
Aké is currently in the recovery phase, with a potential return date close to the end of the Premier League season
Rodri’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is among the more serious setbacks City have faced this season. Despite the severity of the injury, the Spanish midfielder has made notable progress in his rehabilitation.
Rodri was spotted doing light drills at the Etihad and has reportedly resumed individual training sessions at City Football Academy (CFA). While Guardiola remains cautious about projecting a return date, he has acknowledged the midfielder’s dedication and work ethic during recovery.
There’s cautious optimism within the club that Rodri could make a return in time for the FIFA Club World Cup in June. However, a comeback before the end of the domestic season is still up in the air.
John Stones has endured a frustrating season, and his thigh injury—sustained in the opening minutes of a Champions League clash with Real Madrid—initially sparked fears that he would miss the rest of the season. However, recent updates have been much more positive.
Guardiola has indicated that Stones could return before the end of April, which would be a significant boost to City’s defensive options. His composure and versatility are key attributes that City have missed.
Another crucial component of Guardiola’s defensive setup, Manuel Akanji, suffered a torn adductor muscle in the dramatic 3-2 loss to Real Madrid at the Etihad. The Swiss international was taken off at halftime, and an early diagnosis suggested an eight to ten-week layoff.
Guardiola has been optimistic about Akanji’s progress. “He’s getting better. All of them I think, I don’t know about Nathan, but all of them will come before the end of the season,” he said in a recent press briefing.
If his rehabilitation continues without setbacks, Akanji could be back in action before the end of the month, potentially in time for some of City’s crucial final fixtures.
Expected Return Date: Late April
While injuries are an inevitable part of any season, the timing of these knocks and setbacks couldn’t be more critical. Manchester City are entering the final leg of a tightly contested Premier League title race, and they remain in contention in both the Champions League and FA Cup.
Guardiola has often lauded the depth of his squad, and performances from young talents like James McAtee and Nico O’Reilly—both of whom scored in the Palace match—serve as a testament to that. But even with this depth, there’s no doubt that missing players like Haaland, Rodri, and Foden has the potential to disrupt rhythm and impact results.
Manchester City’s upcoming schedule will test the squad’s depth and endurance. Here are the next few key matches:
April 19 – Everton (A)
April 23 – Champions League Semi-final (1st Leg, TBD opponent)
April 27 – Brighton (H)
May 3 – Champions League Semi-final (2nd Leg)
May 7 – Arsenal (A)
May 18 – Bournemouth (H)
May 25 – Final day of Premier League season
Pep Guardiola will hope to welcome back several of his injured stars during this period, especially as City look to clinch silverware across multiple fronts. With the margins for error razor-thin, having players like Haaland, Rodri, and Stones available could prove decisive.
Manchester City’s 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace was a powerful reminder of their quality and resilience. But as Guardiola has emphasized repeatedly throughout his tenure, trophies are not won with talent alone—they require consistency, fitness, and sometimes a bit of luck.
As City battle through injuries and strive to keep their treble hopes alive, fans will be watching the injury updates just as closely as the match results. The return of even one or two of their sidelined stars could make all the difference.
For now, the mood around the Etihad remains cautiously optimistic. There’s belief that the worst of the injury wave is behind them—and with it, the hope that City’s finest football may still be to come this season.
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