Manchester United revive their interest in the Man City left-back who has not played a Premier League minute this season

Manchester United have not given up on Rayan Aït-Nouri, and Africa Foot report that they are now studying a January loan move for the Manchester City left-back.

The Red Devils badly need a new left-back, with Luke Shaw’s injury problems continuing to cause headaches for Michael Carrick. It is a position that has been a sore point for a long time at Old Trafford.

Shaw’s latest spell on the sidelines has forced Manchester United into makeshift fixes. Diogo Dalot filled in at left-back against Leeds United, Noussair Mazraoui played there in the 4-1 Champions League loss to Como, and Ayden Heaven got the nod in the 2-0 defeat at Atletico Madrid.

Carrick spoke this week about feeling fully backed by the club’s board, but the squad still has a hole to fill on the left.

Rayan Aït-Nouri to Manchester United: what is the story?

United tried to solve the problem late in the summer window. Reports at the time said they had made inquiries about Aït-Nouri, but City were not interested in doing business with their nearest rivals and the deal was blocked.

According to Africa Foot, the idea has not been dropped. United are now looking at the Algerian as a January option, and they would like to sign him on loan from City. They see him as an interesting profile thanks to his attacking qualities and his Premier League experience.

Why Rayan Aït-Nouri could be open to leaving Manchester City

The belief is that the door is open, because he is barely featuring for City. He is yet to play a single minute in the Premier League this season, although he has appeared in the Carabao Cup and the Champions League.

That lack of game time could encourage him to consider a temporary exit from the Etihad in search of a more important role elsewhere.

Would Manchester City loan Aït-Nouri to a rival?

For United, a loan would let them strengthen without a big outlay. They could even accept a loan with an obligation to buy to tempt City.

The question is whether Enzo Maresca’s side would want to help a fierce rival. That depends on the role City see Aït-Nouri playing in the near future, and what United put on the table financially would be decisive.

United did spend this summer, with Carlos Baleba arriving from Brighton for £65m, but left-back remains unsolved. City, meanwhile, have bigger matters on their plate, as our Man City predicted lineup vs Aston Villa piece shows.

Author Opinion

This one is worth watching as January nears. United keep patching the left side with players who are not natural left-backs, and Aït-Nouri is available in all but name. City blocked the summer approach, though, and helping Carrick’s side would be a big ask. A loan with an obligation might be the only version that gets City to the table.