PREMIER LEAGUE
Manchester City injury update: will Haaland, De Bruyne and Stones play against Sheffield United?
Recent FIFA Club World Cup winners Manchester City have won five of their last six games in all competitions, but have several injury concerns.
Much of the talk surrounding Manchester City in the first half of the Premier League season has been of them not being at their sparkling best, particularly in the last few weeks. However, their recent triumph at the FIFA Club World Cup has confirmed a return to form, which he seen them win five and draw one of their last six matches in all competitions.
Pep Guardiola’s side headed into Wednesday game away to Everton having won only one of their previous six Premier League fixtures, a run which included four draws and the concession of a number of late goals. Things again looked bleak when they fell behind at Goodison Park, but a stirring second-half performance enabled them to run out 3-1 winners and they ended matchday 19 five points behind new leaders Liverpool, with a game in hand.
City haven’t been helped in recent times by the absences of a number of important players, not least key attacking duo Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne, neither of whom featured at the Club World Cup.
What injury does Erling Haaland have?
The Norwegian striker’s quest to overtake Cristiano Ronaldo as the top goalscorer of 2023 is now over, with Guardiola confirming in his pre-match press conference Haaland wouldn’t be fit for Saturday’s home game against Sheffield United. The forward suffered a foot injury in the defeat to Aston Villa on 6 December and hasn’t been seen since. There has been some mystery surrounding when the 23-year-old will be back in action and, although he shouldn’t be too far away, he has played his last game of 2023.
De Bruyne closing in on City return
The same goes for Kevin De Bruyne, who injured his hamstring against Burnley on the opening weekend of the season in August. The Belgian, who has missed City’s last 28 matches, has resumed training and is close to making his return, although it won’t come on Saturday.
Stones injured in Everton victory
Before facing The Blades, Guardiola revealed “nothing had changed from the last game,” in relation to availability, with one exception. “We have the same injuries plus John Stones.”
Stones missed the first couple of months of the season due to a hip injury but made his fifth Premier League start of the season against Everton. However, he was forced off before half time following a clash with Toffees striker Beto which resulted in him hurting his ankle. It appears the England international is now set for another few weeks out of action.
Winger Jérémy Doku hasn’t played since 3 December and will also be absent once more to a muscular problem.