RismadarVoice Reporters
September 1, 2026
Manchester United have failed in a late attempt to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri on loan after making a surprise approach on transfer deadline day.
The move was part of United’s efforts to strengthen their defensive options before the close of the summer transfer window, with the club identifying the left-back position as an area that needed reinforcement.
United had previously considered moves for Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas but decided to explore the possibility of signing Ait-Nouri after those options did not progress.
Reports indicate that Manchester United were only interested in a loan deal, while Manchester City’s preferred condition was a loan agreement that included an obligation to buy. United rejected those terms, resulting in the deal collapsing.
Manchester City confirmed that Ait-Nouri would remain at the club despite limited playing opportunities since the start of the season. The Algeria international has been an unused substitute in City’s opening matches and currently ranks behind Josko Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly in the left-back pecking order.
The 25-year-old joined Manchester City from Wolverhampton Wanderers in June 2025 for a reported £31 million fee. However, his debut season was below expectations, as he started only 12 Premier League matches and made 31 appearances across all competitions.
Following the failed move for Ait-Nouri, Manchester United will retain 19-year-old defender Harry Amass, who had been expected to leave on loan. Amass had attracted interest from several clubs but will remain at Old Trafford due to United’s inability to sign an experienced left-back.
Amass, who featured as Luke Shaw’s back-up during pre-season, has not been included in Michael Carrick’s squad for either Premier League match so far this season and is expected to remain a third-choice option behind other defensive alternatives.
United also missed out on another deadline day target, Leicester City midfielder Louis Page. The club had been monitoring the 18-year-old, but the deal failed to materialise after Leicester demanded a fee believed to be above £10 million.
Page, who made his senior debut in August 2025, has already made 25 first-team appearances and remains with Leicester City.
Manchester United have already invested more than £150 million on midfield reinforcements this summer, including Youri Tielemans, Andrey Santos and Carlos Baleba, who joined from Brighton for a reported £70 million.
Despite their significant spending, the club’s failure to secure additional defensive cover leaves them with limited options in the left-back position ahead of the new season.
