‘Man City gem to step up as Pep Guardiola handed Erling Haaland blow’
Man City’s dismal 2024/25 campaign has taken yet another massive blow after Erling Haaland limped off against Bournemouth in the FA Cup.
The Norwegian star experienced disappointment and thrill in the clash at the Vitality Stadium on Sunday, 30 March, seeing his penalty saved by Bournemouth’s hero Kepa Arrizabalaga before scoring the equaliser.
His afternoon ended early, however, being replaced by Omar Marmoush on the hour mark after an incident with Lewis Cook, with Guardiola confirming that the striker could be sidelined for up to seven weeks.
While the Citizens are no longer fighting for the Champions League, having been knocked out by Real Madrid, qualification for the competition is still on the line, as too is another FA Cup title.
Pep Guardiola handed new blow in tiresome Man City campaign
With Marmoush added to the squad during the winter transfer window the injury does not come as big a blow as it could have been, but it still leaves a gaping hole in City’s attack.
Of the 55 goals scored by the reigning Premier League champions in the league this season, Haaland accounts for 21 of them, even grabbing three assists on top of that record as well.
The manager may not need the transfer market to alleviate some of the goalscoring pressure, however, with Nico O’Reilly’s recent FA Cup heroics for Man City being an example of the talents currently within the academy.
James McAtee, who is still being linked with a Man City exit, has made headway in the squad in recent weeks, but another one of his Under-21s teammates could be ready for the step up in Haaland’s absence.
| Man City’s Premier League scorers | No. of goals |
| Erling Haaland | 21 |
| Phil Foden | 7 |
| Josko Gvardiol | 5 |
| Mateo Kovacic/Omar Marmoush | 4 |
| Jeremy Doku | 3 |
Divin Mubama can take advantage as Erling Haaland is sidelined
Many supporters will be extremely excited about the prospect of seeing 20-year-old Divin Mubama given a proper run-out in the first team, having featured around the squad this term.
He has settled into life in Manchester well since arriving on a free transfer from West Ham in December, notching eight goals and four assists in seven Premier League 2 appearances.
The forward has even netted his first senior goal for City, scoring in the 8-0 thrashing of Salford City in January, with supporters left baffled by why the Hammers ever let him leave the London Stadium.
With so much still on the line for Guardiola and Man City, Mubama should be one of the manager’s first ports of call when filling in the vacant spot on the bench.
The youngster has already proven to be ready for Premier League football, having made 18 appearances during his time in East London, and it would be foolish not to give him that opportunity at the Etihad.
Guardiola is in desperate need of a consistent source of goals thanks to Haaland’s new injury, and given how prolific Mubama has been this season for the age group side, it would be unfair not to call him up now.