Rayan Ait-Nouri is set to depart Manchester City in January, with intermediaries already in discussions with several interested clubs — and Manchester United are understood to be among them, according to TEAMtalk journalist Graeme Bailey.

The Algeria international has struggled to make an impression under manager Enzo Maresca since joining City from Wolverhampton Wanderers in the summer of 2025. Despite signing a five-year deal, Ait-Nouri has featured in fewer than half of City's Premier League matches this season, with his appearances restricted to the Carabao Cup and the Champions League group phase.

Limited to cup football

The left-back has clocked minutes in Champions League wins over Porto and AEK Athens, but was an unused substitute during City's defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. In the league, he has not featured at all under Maresca.

His most recent outing came on Wednesday, when Manchester City eliminated Brighton & Hove Albion from the Carabao Cup on penalties, with Ait-Nouri playing the full 90 minutes. He had also started the previous round against Norwich City.

A move to Old Trafford on the cards

Bailey reports that Maresca has communicated his assessment of Ait-Nouri to City sporting director Hugo Viana, who is now working on an exit plan ahead of the January window. Clubs across Europe have been alerted, with intermediaries already opening lines of communication on the player's behalf.

Manchester United were linked with Ait-Nouri at the end of the summer window, and Bailey indicates that interest has since been revived. The 25-year-old is said to be open to a move across Manchester — a transfer that would carry significant historical weight.