City Faces United Derby Without Haaland: Can They Adapt?

April 3, 2025, MANCHESTER, England – Manchester City is gearing up for one of the most intense fixtures in the Premier League, the Manchester derby, as they prepare to face Manchester United without their star striker Erling Haaland.

Haaland sustained an ankle injury during an FA Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth and is expected to be sidelined for five to seven weeks. This comes as a massive blow to City, who have relied heavily on the Norwegian’s scoring prowess throughout the season. Before his injury, Haaland had found the net 30 times, representing nearly 40% of City’s goals.

Despite his absence, City recently showcased their depth by securing a 2-0 victory over Leicester City, with Jack Grealish scoring early and Omar Marmoush doubling the lead. Pep Guardiola expressed confidence in his team’s ability to cope without Haaland, stating, “After the tough game in Bournemouth, to come here after just three days, it helped us to score early. We missed the third goal, that’s all. The rest was good.”

City’s current form places them fourth in the Premier League table, with crucial matches remaining to secure Champions League qualification. This weekend’s match against United presents a significant opportunity for City to prove they can maintain their performance level without Haaland.

On the other side, Manchester United is also looking to bounce back after suffering a disappointing 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest. This match marked the 11th time this season that United failed to score, raising concerns regarding their attacking capabilities.

The Red Devils must now revitalize their offensive game as they sit in 13th place, struggling to recreate their past performances. Manager Rúben Amorim faces immense pressure to extract better results, especially with the Europa League quarter-finals approaching.

Guardiola emphasized the importance of adapting their playstyle without Haaland. “We don’t have another player with his skills or specific qualities that we know, but we have to adapt,” he said. Key players like Kevin De Bruyne, Phil Foden, and Marmoush are expected to step up in the attack.

Historically, City has had the upper hand in recent derby encounters, winning four of the last six. But with both teams facing their own dilemmas, the upcoming match promises to be unpredictable. United’s backline will be tested against City’s strategical pace and creativity, especially from players like Jérémy Doku and Savinho, who can exploit defensive gaps.

As both clubs anticipate this high-stakes showdown, the question remains: can City continue to succeed without their top scorer, and can United deliver a performance that restores pride amid a challenging season?

The Manchester derby kicks off Sunday at 11:30 a.m. EDT, promising fans an electrifying contest with both pride and critical points on the line.