Manchester City have suffered a massive blow to their squad following their 2-1 victory over Bournemouth, giving Manchester United a boost ahead of their derby clash this weekend.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City may have to face their bitter city rivals without one of their key players after an injury during their FA Cup quarter final fixture with Bournemouth earlier today.
Currently sitting at fifth in the Premier League table, behind Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest and Chelsea, the Blues are hoping to do well enough to qualify for the Champions League next season.
This weekend’s match comes after the Red Devils beat their neighbours 2-1 away in December – a record that Guardiola’s men will be looking to rectify this weekend.
While City have been on far better form this season than United, they may struggle to overturn their hosts without the availability of one of their most influential players.
According to ManUtdNews, “Manchester United have been handed a huge boost ahead of their Premier League fixture against Manchester City next Sunday after Erling Braut Haaland limped off against Bournemouth today.”
During the game, Haaland looked to jar his knee in a challenge in the second half and, while he tried to return to the pitch, he immediately signalled to the bench that he had to come off.
Widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s strongest strikers, Haaland has picked up 21 goals in 28 games for City this season, and his exclusion from this weekend’s lineup may be the difference between victory and defeat.
That’s not to say that City don’t have other attacking options – Phil Foden is also on form this season with 7 goals from the winger position.
But news of Haaland’s name potentially missing off next weekend’s lineup will still have the Red Devils feeling quietly confident as they prepare to host their city rivals.
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Source: Centred Devils
