Frozen out at City, Ait-Nouri could hand injury-hit Manchester United a January solution

Rayan Ait-Nouri’s place at Manchester City appears increasingly untenable after the Algeria international was left out of Enzo Maresca’s travelling squad for Saturday’s Premier League defeat at Nottingham Forest. The 25-year-old has not played a single minute of top-flight football for City this season, and a January loan exit now looks likely, with a permanent departure before next summer considered inevitable.

Ait-Nouri’s only start since arriving from Wolves for £36 million just over a year ago came in a Carabao Cup tie against Championship side Norwich City. Brief Champions League cameos against Porto and AEK Athens, plus a half-hour appearance in the League Cup against Brighton, represent the full extent of his involvement under Maresca.

The left-back made 31 appearances in all competitions last season under Pep Guardiola, but his route to regular starts was blocked by the breakout form of Nico O’Reilly, who ended the campaign as Premier League Young Player of the Year. O’Reilly has struggled with a back injury this term, while Josko Gvardiol — whose early error gifted Nottingham Forest their opener on Saturday — has endured a difficult start to the season. Despite those issues, Ait-Nouri has not been called upon.

Manchester United emerged as a potential destination late on the summer transfer deadline, but a deal collapsed after City insisted on including an option to buy in any loan agreement. With Luke Shaw continuing to miss matches through injury and United lacking a natural left-back alternative, the club could return to the table in January. Ait-Nouri would offer Ruben Amorim’s side — then managed by Michael Carrick in the source’s framing — an experienced Premier League option at a position of clear need.

A move to Old Trafford could also appeal to Ait-Nouri himself. The geographical familiarity of remaining in Manchester aside, United’s participation in the Champions League knockout stages — should they progress — could represent a more attractive platform than his current role on City’s fringes.

Whether City would willingly strengthen a direct rival remains the central question. Ait-Nouri is contracted at the Etihad until 2030, giving City full control over his future, and he is likely to attract interest from other Premier League clubs and European sides if United do not move decisively. Guardiola had valued the defender before his early-season injury last term opened the door for O’Reilly’s rise — but under Maresca, that door appears firmly shut.