Manchester United made a surprise attempt to sign Manchester City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri before Monday's transfer deadline, but the move fell through after the two Manchester clubs failed to agree on the structure of a potential deal.
According to reports, United reached out to City on deadline day afternoon after being alerted to Ait-Nouri's availability by the player's representatives earlier in the week. United were exploring the possibility of taking the 25-year-old Algeria international on a temporary basis, but City would only sanction a departure through a loan deal that included an obligation to buy. United had no appetite for that arrangement and subsequently withdrew from talks.
The interest in Ait-Nouri stemmed from United's shortage of cover at left-back. Luke Shaw remained fit for much of last season and is expected to be United's first-choice option again this term, but at 31 he faces a campaign competing on multiple fronts with only 19-year-old academy prospect Harry Amass as a natural alternative in that position.
Ait-Nouri, who moved to City in 2025, has found opportunities limited at the Etihad Stadium, being overtaken in the pecking order by the emergence of Nico O'Reilly. He has been an unused substitute for both of City's opening two Premier League fixtures this season, fueling speculation that he could seek a move to secure more regular football.
Despite the apparent mutual benefit of a temporary switch, City's insistence on a loan-to-buy structure proved to be a sticking point that could not be overcome before the window closed.
United's business this summer has largely centered on reinforcing Michael Carrick's midfield, with the club completing signings of Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos. Defensive additions, however, were notably absent, leaving left-back as one of the squad's thinner areas heading into the new campaign.
The Ait-Nouri pursuit was not United's only piece of deadline-day activity that ultimately came to nothing. The club also explored a deal for Leicester City teenager Louis Page but pulled out of discussions after the two sides could not agree on a transfer fee for the young forward.
Elsewhere, United's attacking options remain a talking point, with Joshua Zirkzee's future still uncertain. Everton were reported to have made a late loan enquiry for the Dutch forward, but that approach did not progress into a formal deal, and United are said to have rejected the offer.
With the transfer window now shut, Carrick will have to work with the squad already assembled, meaning Shaw and Amass remain the only recognized options at left-back for the foreseeable future. Whether Zirkzee remains part of the club's plans going forward is likely to be addressed in the coming weeks, even with the domestic window closed, as clubs from other European leagues may still be able to negotiate deals depending on their own deadlines.
For now, attention turns back to the pitch, with United needing to make the most of the squad depth they have rather than the reinforcements they were unable to secure in the closing hours of the window.
Based on reporting from Standard Sport and The Independent.