Real Madrid target Manchester City injury return date for Kylian Mbappe | OneFootball

Manchester City could yet be up against Kylian Mbappe with his Real Madrid teammates in their upcoming last-16 ties on March 11 and March 17, according to reports from France.

The French superstar has been battling a persistent problem in his knee, sidelining him for recent key fixtures and forcing an absence from Real Madrid’s recent Champions League play-off win against Benfica.

With Alvaro Arbeloa’s side currently reeling from a shock home defeat to Getafe and a mounting injury crisis that recently claimed Rodrygo for the remainder of the season and possibly calendar year, the pressure to have their leading goalscorer back for European duties has heightened.

While the club has opted for conservative treatment to avoid a pre-World Cup surgery, rumours of a disagreement over his recovery timeline have left fans at the Etihad Stadium and the Bernabéu guessing as to whether the 27-year-old will feature in a potentially definitive second leg of the upcoming heavyweight showdown in Manchester.

What is Real Madrid’s aim for Mbappe’s return from injury?

Now, according to the information of FootMercato, Real Madrid have set a clear objective for Kylian Mbappe’s return from injury – the UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Manchester City on March 17.

The latest report suggests that while Mbappe is almost certain to miss the first leg in Madrid on Wednesday, March 11, the club is doing everything in its power to ensure he is fit for the trip to Manchester.

Kylian Mbappe has been in sensational form this season, racking up 38 goals and six assists in 33 appearances, making his availability arguably the single most significant factor in whether the Spanish giants can overcome Pep Guardiola’s side.

Reports of entourage tensions and tactical impact

The coming days remain critical as the player begins to increase his recovery and training workload. Real Madrid’s hierarchy will be desperate for a psychological boost ahead of the City clash, especially given Pep Guardiola’s traditionally formidable home record in Europe.

Should Kylian Mbappe successfully return for the second leg, it would set up a mouth-watering battle against a Manchester City defence that has recently been bolstered by the emergence of Abdukodir Khusanov and January signing of Marc Guehi.

However, if his recovery falters or remains pushed back, Alvaro Arbeloa may be forced to rely on a depleted frontline to keep their Champions League dreams alive in what has become a defining month for both clubs.

Why City fans may NOT be buying the injury concerns

Among the Manchester City faithful, news of Kylian Mbappe’s ‘clear objective’ to return for the second leg is being met with a healthy dose of skepticism. Fans have seen this script before: a ‘major doubt’ who miraculously returns in time to face Pep Guardiola’s side.

While there’s a significant amount of well-deserved respect for Mbappe’s ongoing 38-goal season, most fans are focusing on the fact that Real Madrid look vulnerable right now, especially after defeat to Getafe in La Liga.

Whether Mbappe starts or not, the feeling is that if Manchester City can navigate the first leg at the Bernabéu, the Blues should still have enough tactical discipline to handle even a 90% fit Frenchman on their own turf.