Manchester United want to sign Man City left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri in January, and the 25-year-old is open to the move, but the hard part will be getting the two Manchester clubs to do business.
According to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg, personal terms are not an issue for United. The Algeria international is ready to leave the Etihad, and his market is now being explored ahead of the winter window.
It is the clearest sign yet that the Aït-Nouri situation is heading for a January exit. He has not played a single Premier League minute for City this season, and United are not the only club his representatives have spoken to.
What has been said about Aït-Nouri and Man United?
Plettenberg posted the update on Tuesday afternoon. He said Aït-Nouri is open to leaving City, that United would like to sign him, and that the main issue is the relationship between the two clubs rather than anything on the player’s side.
🚨🆕 Rayan Aït-Nouri, one to watch in the winter transfer window.
– Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) November 3, 2026
The 25 y/o left-back is open to leaving Manchester City.
Understand Manchester United would like to sign him. Personal terms are not an issue. #MCFC #MUFC
The main issue is the relationship between the two… pic.twitter.com/kc3cDPcZqf
It builds on reports from last week that intermediaries acting for the left-back had already held talks with a number of clubs, United among them. Lines of communication between the two Manchester clubs are said to have reopened after brief contact in the summer, when a deadline day loan to Old Trafford was explored and fell through.
Why does Rayan Aït-Nouri want out?
Minutes. Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol are ahead of him at left-back under Enzo Maresca, and Aït-Nouri has not even come off the bench in the league. His only start came against Norwich in the Carabao Cup, with short Champions League cameos against Porto and AEK Athens.
Maresca has not helped his cause by changing his mind about where he fits. Earlier this season the Italian said he saw him “more winger than full-back”, before calling him a full-back again last week and describing his battle with O’Reilly and Gvardiol as “just competition between them”.
His latest outing was the second half of the Carabao Cup shootout win over Brighton, when he replaced Ayyoub Bouaddi at left-back at half-time. That is not the workload of a player who cost a reported £37m including add-ons.
Why are United looking across the city?
United are short at left-back. Luke Shaw has been their only natural option, and with Shaw injured and Patrick Dorgu missing, Michael Carrick has had to use Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven there in an emergency.
Their first choice in the summer was Lewis Hall, but he signed a new long-term contract at Newcastle in September. RB Leipzig’s David Raum and Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde are also said to be on the shortlist, which shows United are looking at more than one route.
How much would City want for Aït-Nouri?
Reports suggest City would look for around £30m if they insist on a permanent sale, while it is still unclear whether United would push for a loan or a straight transfer. His contract at the Etihad runs until 2030, so City are under no pressure to cut the price.
Then there is the rivalry. No senior first-team player has moved directly between the two Manchester clubs since Owen Hargreaves in 2011, and City are not expected to do United any favours at the negotiating table.
Should Man City sell Rayan Aït-Nouri to Man United?
Strip away the badge and this makes sense for everyone. City have a 25-year-old on the fringes who has barely played, United have a hole at left-back, and the player wants games.
The only thing in the way is pride. If United are willing to pay close to the full price, City should take the money and keep the loan option off the table. Strengthening a rival is a risk, but letting a £37m signing sit unused until 2030 is a bigger one.
