Manchester City blocked any prospect of Rayan Ait-Nouri joining Manchester United last summer and have no intention of softening their stance when the January window opens.
Why United’s Interest Never Stood a Chance
Michael Carrick’s side spent much of the summer chasing a new left-back to challenge Luke Shaw, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall their preferred target before the Magpies rejected any offers. Hall has since extended his contract, though United reportedly retain an interest regardless.
With that route closed, United tested the water over Ait-Nouri late in the window, according to Football Insider. City, however, had no appetite to sanction a sale to their closest rivals, and the report suggests they would refuse to let any player move directly to Old Trafford, regardless of fee. Juventus were also credited with admiring the Algeria international, but neither suitor got close to prising him away.
City’s Firm Stance Heading Into January
Signed from Wolves for £31 million last year, Ait-Nouri has struggled for minutes, managing just 17 league outings in an injury-disrupted debut campaign and only one substitute appearance this term. Football Insider claims City are equally determined to keep hold of him in January, even though Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol currently sit above him in Enzo Maresca’s pecking order.
An Opinion on What Comes Next
It is hard to see City budging here. Selling a player of Ait-Nouri’s quality to a direct rival would be unusual for any club, let alone one still developing him as a long-term option. Maresca clearly sees enough in the 24-year-old to justify patience, and with left-back options thin elsewhere in the squad, a January departure always looked unlikely. Expect him to fight for his chance at the Etihad rather than push for an exit.
