Erling Haaland Nears Return as Manchester City Faces Tottenham in FA Cup

Manchester City is gearing up for their FA Cup fourth-round match against Tottenham Hotspur without their star striker, Erling Haaland.

Haaland, who has been sidelined for City’s last nine games across all competitions due to a foot injury, is inching closer to his return. Despite his progress, manager Pep Guardiola emphasized the need for patience until the Norwegian forward fully recovers.

“He is on the verge to come back. Tomorrow still he’s not ready but he’s close,” Guardiola conveyed, highlighting Haaland’s participation in recent training sessions but acknowledging that he’s not yet in optimal condition.

The squad also faces the absence of defender Manuel Akanji for the upcoming clash with Spurs. However, there’s good news for City fans as both defender John Stones and goalkeeper Ederson are cleared for selection.

Meanwhile, midfielder Kalvin Phillips is poised for a loan move to West Ham United, with Guardiola expressing gratitude for Phillips’s conduct off the pitch and optimism for his playing time at West Ham.

In management shifts, Guardiola acknowledged the departure of Omar Berrada, City Football Group’s Director of Football Operations, who transitioned to Manchester United as chief executive officer. Guardiola lauded Berrada’s significant contributions and expressed confidence in the club’s ability to find a suitable replacement.

Guardiola also addressed UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin’s remarks regarding Manchester City’s previous ban from European competition for breaching financial regulations—a decision later overturned by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). With City currently facing 115 charges from the Premier League over financial rule violations, Guardiola urged patience and respect for the legal process, emphasizing the club’s right to defend itself against these allegations.

As Manchester City prepares to face Tottenham without Haaland and navigates off-field challenges, the team remains focused on their immediate objectives while also dealing with broader issues involving player movements and administrative changes.