Man Utd express interest in signing Man City fullback Rayan Ait-Nouri

Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Manchester City fullback Rayan Aït-Nouri, according to Florian Plettenberg.

Aït-Nouri first arrived in England on loan from Angers in the summer of 2020 on a season-long loan move to Wolverhampton Wanderers before the West Midlands outfit signed him permanently after he impressed.

He went on to play 135 league games for the West Midlands outfit before joining Manchester City in June 2025.

After struggling for playing time in his first season with just 17 Premier League appearances, the fullback may have hoped his impressive individual campaign at the World Cup, as well as the appointment of Enzo Maresca, would grant the Algerian a fresh start.

Still, competition for the left-back role remains an obstacle, with Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly both preferred options under the manager.

While he has been a regular in City’s cup ties this season, he is yet to register any minutes in the Premier League, further prompting speculation about his future.

As a result, Florian Plettenberg reports that Aït-Nouri is open to leaving the eight-time Premier League champions in the January transfer window.

One of the clubs now eyeing a move for the 25-year-old is Man Utd, according to the journalist, who claims that the Red Devils would like to sign him.

In September, Football Talk, citing Ben Jacobs, revealed that United have made enquiries over a deadline-day move for Aït-Nouri.

While it is unclear whether the club held talks with the former Wolves man, Plettenberg now reports that reaching an agreement on personal terms with the left-back should not be an issue.

Aït-Nouri to Man Utd

However, the deal won’t be easy, as the rivalry between United and City could prove a stumbling block, the journalist adds.

United were heavily tipped to sign a new left-back in the summer and were linked with several options, but no deal materialised.

Head coach Michael Carrick started the season with Luke Shaw as his preferred option, while Patrick Dorgu was utilised in a more advanced position.

The decision not to sign a left-back is now proving costly, as both players are injured and Diogo Dalot has not been convincing when used there.

Although Aït-Nouri has played fewer games this season, he has averaged 6.67 duels per match in the EFL Cup and earned an 8/10 rating against Brighton & Hove Albion in the fourth round, underlining his ability to compete against Premier League opposition.

With personal terms not being a problem, United will hope a formal offer above his £29m Transfermarkt valuation, along with his willingness to leave City, will be enough to seal the deal.