Manchester City fans are worried again. The sight of Erling Haaland walking gingerly after that painful collision with the post at Villa Park sent shivers through every blue heart. It was supposed to be another ordinary weekend, another game where Haaland would terrorize defenders and celebrate goals with his usual cold smile. But this time, things were different. The roar that usually followed his goals was replaced with gasps. The cameras showed him sliding into the back post, crashing hard, and though he tried to shake it off, everyone watching knew something was wrong. Now, ahead of Manchester City’s Premier League game against Bournemouth, there’s one big question echoing across the Etihad — will Haaland play?
Pep Guardiola looked unusually tense this week. The manager who normally smiles during press conferences, who jokes about tactics and makes reporters laugh, looked like a man who had spent sleepless nights thinking. When asked about Haaland’s condition, his reply said it all. “I didn’t see him today,” he said slowly, his tone uncertain. “It was a knock. Day by day it’s getting better. We will see how he feels.” That’s not the confidence City fans wanted to hear. Haaland isn’t just another striker — he’s the heart of this City team, the man who turns half-chances into goals, the machine that Guardiola depends on when all else fails.
The injury happened last weekend in City’s 1–0 defeat to Aston Villa, a game that ended in frustration and confusion. Haaland, who hadn’t gone a single league match without scoring since August, was desperate to keep his run alive. In the final moments, when it looked like he might have saved the day with a late equaliser, the offside flag went up. His goal was cancelled, his momentum stopped, and to make matters worse, that same move left him clutching his side after slamming into the post. The Norwegian tried to continue, but the pain lingered. After the game, he looked uneasy, and when City faced Swansea in the Carabao Cup days later, he was nowhere to be seen.
Guardiola confirmed that Haaland missed the midweek game as a precaution, but those who saw him walking into the training ground said he didn’t look fully comfortable. The question now is whether he will recover in time for Bournemouth. Guardiola, as usual, is refusing to rush. “We train this afternoon,” he said earlier this week, “and we will know more exactly how he feels.” That calm voice of his may sound reassuring, but deep down, he knows how crucial Haaland is. Manchester City have built their system around him. Every attacking plan starts with him. Every defender fears him. Without Haaland, City look human again.
And that’s what scares fans the most. Because when Haaland doesn’t play, everything changes. Opponents become braver. Defenders push higher. Midfielders take more risks. City lose that fear factor, that raw intimidation that only Haaland brings. Pep knows it too. That’s why even though Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki stepped up against Swansea, scoring in the cup, everyone at the Etihad knows there’s no replacement for Haaland. You can copy his hairstyle, his celebration, even his diet — but you can’t copy his instinct. You can’t copy the way he smells goals.
Thursday’s training session brought a glimmer of hope. Haaland was spotted at the City Football Academy, running lightly, testing himself with short sprints. Cameras captured him smiling, but those close to him said he was being careful. There was still a slight limp, a sign that not everything was healed. Still, for City fans, seeing him back on the pitch — even in light drills — was a reason to believe. Pep Guardiola is expected to give an official update in his Friday press conference, but no one is sure what he’ll say. Guardiola likes to keep his cards close to his chest. Even his own players sometimes don’t know who’s fit until matchday morning.
Behind the scenes, the medical team is working overtime. They know how fine the line is between rest and risk. The pain Haaland suffered came from a heavy impact, not a muscle tear, which is a small positive. But the danger is if he returns too early and makes it worse. Guardiola doesn’t want another Kevin De Bruyne situation, where a player rushes back and ends up out for months. Yet he also knows City’s season depends on keeping their rhythm. With Rodri already nursing a hamstring issue, losing Haaland now would be another cruel blow.
City’s schedule doesn’t help either. After Bournemouth, they have back-to-back Premier League clashes and Champions League nights that could define their season. Pep’s plan has always been about balance — rotation when possible, but strength when needed. Now he faces a decision that could decide the next few weeks: does he risk Haaland against Bournemouth, or does he rest him and trust the others to deliver?
The fans are divided. Some believe it’s better to give him one more week to heal completely. Others think resting him is dangerous because momentum is everything for a striker like Haaland. Once he sits too long, his rhythm drops. And in football, rhythm can be as important as fitness. His goals come from confidence, from that unstoppable energy that makes defenders panic. If he feels good, he wants to play. If Guardiola says no, there could be tension. Haaland is known for his hunger — he doesn’t like missing games.
The Aston Villa defeat already left a bad taste in the mouth. City didn’t just lose; they looked flat, uninspired, and predictable. Without Haaland firing, they struggled to break through Villa’s defense. The midfield lacked creativity, and the wings couldn’t find that killer cross. It’s no surprise Guardiola turned serious this week. He knows what’s at stake. Bournemouth may not be a top team, but in the Premier League, no opponent is easy when confidence is low. Every point matters. Every missed chance could hurt in the title race.
Haaland’s teammates have been quietly rallying around him. Phil Foden, who was on the bench midweek, said after training that Haaland “looked sharp” and that “he’ll be ready soon.” Rayan Cherki, who scored in the cup, posted a photo with Haaland captioned “The king will be back soon.” These small messages show how important Haaland is to the dressing room. His energy lifts everyone. Even when he doesn’t speak much, his presence sets the tone. When he walks into a room, people listen. When he trains, others push harder. That’s the effect of a true superstar.
Meanwhile, Pep has been experimenting with possible alternatives. Marmoush could start again, while Foden or Savinho might play as false nine if Haaland can’t make it. Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly, both rested in midweek, could return to the starting lineup. The predicted XI for Sunday looks uncertain — Donnarumma in goal, Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, and Aït-Nouri at the back; Gonzalez controlling midfield; Marmoush, Reijnders, Foden, and Savinho behind Haaland — if Haaland starts at all. The only confirmed absentee is Rodri, who remains sidelined with a hamstring problem. The rest depends on that final Friday assessment.
For Haaland, it’s personal. The man who once said he’d rather take Ronaldo’s right foot because he already had Messi’s left now faces his own test of strength. He doesn’t like sitting out. He plays through pain, fights through bruises, and never complains. But this time, everyone around him is urging caution. Guardiola has seen too many careers shortened by pride. He’ll make the call based on medical advice, not emotion. “We have many games ahead,” he told reporters. “The season is long. The team must be ready with or without Erling.”
Still, when matchday arrives and the Etihad crowd begins to sing, everyone will be waiting for one thing — to see Haaland in that sky-blue kit, walking out of the tunnel, his face calm, his eyes focused, his boots tapping the ground like thunder. Whether he starts or not, his shadow will loom large over the game. Bournemouth defenders are already preparing for both possibilities — a tired, limping Haaland or a fresh, angry one. Either way, they know it won’t be easy. Because even at 70%, Haaland is still a nightmare.
The Etihad has seen many stars come and go, but few have captured hearts like Haaland. His numbers speak louder than words — 36 league goals last season, 52 across all competitions, countless records broken. Yet what makes him special isn’t just the goals. It’s his mentality. The hunger. The fire in his eyes. Even when he misses, you can see the fury, the desire to score again immediately. He’s built different. That’s why this injury worry feels bigger than usual. When Haaland is hurt, the whole of Manchester feels it.
As the countdown to Sunday continues, one thing is clear — whether he plays or not, Erling Haaland’s name will dominate every conversation, every headline, every whisper among fans. Guardiola will have his say in the press room, but the truth will only be known when the team sheet drops. And if Haaland’s name is there, expect the Etihad to erupt with relief and excitement. If not, then the City faithful will pray for a speedy return, knowing their king will rise again soon.
Because Erling Haaland isn’t just a player — he’s the pulse of this City team. He’s the storm that defenders fear and the symbol of Guardiola’s empire. Right now, that empire stands on uncertain ground, waiting for their Viking to heal. Sunday will tell whether the wait continues or the beast awakens once more.
