Manchester United have made a surprise move to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri before tonight’s 11pm transfer deadline, according to journalist Sam Cohen.
The Red Devils have primarily focused on strengthening their midfield department this summer, and they have signed Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba alongside goalkeeper Karl Darlow.
There has been an evident need for a quality left-back to support Luke Shaw, and Cohen reports that the Mancunian giants have made a tentative enquiry about Ait-Nouri on transfer deadline day.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT journalist Alex Crook adds that a deal is unlikely to happen tonight.
United poised to miss out on left-back signing
The Red Devils are currently short in the left-back department for the new season. Shaw stayed unscathed and started every league game last campaign, but the workload will be much higher this term.
United played just 40 matches during the 2025/26 campaign. That number could increase to more than 60 games this season if the Red Devils go deep in the Cup and European competitions.
With Shaw’s worrying injury record over the past 12 years, United’s hierarchy have probably messed up by not recruiting a reliable left-back. Patrick Dorgu can operate from the position, but he has looked defensively vulnerable. The Dane has been more comfortable as a left-sided winger.
If Shaw were to be sidelined or rested, this leaves manager Michael Carrick with the option of playing Noussair Mazraoui or Diogo Dalot as an emergency left-back. We believe the situation could have been avoided by pursuing another specialist, at least on a season-long loan earlier this summer.
Ait-Nouri, who was signed by Man City from Wolverhampton Wanderers for an initial £31 million last year, has emerged as a target on deadline day. The Algerian was a top performer at Wolves, but has lost his way at the Cityzens, with Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol ahead of him in the pecking order.
United could be eyeing a loan deal for his services, but we doubt Man City would do any business. Goalkeeper Tony Coton was the last senior player to be sold by Man City to Man Utd in 1996, and there have been no direct cash transfers involving first-team players between the clubs this century.
With their fierce rivalry, no deal is likely to happen before the 11pm deadline.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com
