Pep Guardiola would have been delighted after Manchester City qualified for the Round of 16 of the FIFA Club World Cup by demolishing Al Ain 6-0 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Catalan boss would also have been overjoyed after witnessing Rayan Ait-Nouri impress during his first start in a City shirt.
Premier League fans have been accustomed to the 24-year-old marauding down the left flank, bamboozling players with his quick feet and being a threat going forward — traits that the Algerian exhibited against Al Ain as well.
Ait-Nouri revealed Riyad Mahrez urged him to graft and it seems like he has followed the Champions League winner’s advice as he instantly fit in like a glove in Pep Guardiola’s side — completing the most dribbles out of any player on the pitch (four).
RAYAN AIT-NOURI STATS VS AL AIN
DRIBBLED PAST 0
DUELS WON 8
DRIBBLES COMPLETED 4/6 (67%)
PASSES INTO THE FINAL THIRD 4
ACCURATE PASSES 56/59 (95%)
TOUCHES IN OPPOSITION BOX 7
With Rayan Cherki scoring on the night and Tijjani Reijnders standing out against Wydad AC, all of City’s new signings bar Marcus Bettinelli, who is yet to feature, look like brilliant additions.
Pep Guardiola praises Rayan Ait-Nouri after Man City debut vs Al Ain
Pep Guardiola would have hoped for Ait-Nouri to get off to a flier in particular, considering Manchester City desperately lacked an attacking full-back in their ranks.
More Man City News
The former Wolves left-back has surely earned himself a start against Juventus on Thursday now.
After the victory against Al Ain, Pep Guardiola heaped praise on £34 million man Ait-Nouri via Manchester City’s official website: “Wow, he played very good because we had to defend a back four and then a back five, he had to arrive in the end.”
Manchester City FC v Al Ain FC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
“At the end, he played really good. It’s his first game but he’s played in the Premier League for many years.”
Guardiola also pinpointed how good Ait-Nouri looked in central areas, saying: “He can help us play in that important role, then he went holding midfield in the pockets, he moves really well in small spaces.”
What Rayan Ait-Nouri said about Pep Guardiola
Ait-Nouri will be over the moon about Pep Guardiola’s praise for him, which was deserved as he was arguably Manchester City’s best player against Al Ain.
Since Joao Cancelo, City have lacked a left-back who is as technically gifted and threatening in the final third as the Algerian international.
Before he even signed for Manchester City, Ait-Nouri called Pep Guardiola a “great coach” and it seems like the two-time treble-winner has a gem of a player at his disposal now.
“I’m focusing on the national team. We’ll see. The most important thing is the two matches we’re going to play with the national team. Everyone knows that Pep Guardiola is a great coach.”
Ait-Nouri could now play a crucial role for Manchester City next season and he will be hoping to nail down his place as a starter for them.