Rayan Ait-Nouri has set his sights on becoming a greater goalscoring threat for Manchester City after netting two on the club's pre-season tour.
What can we expect from Rayan Ait-Nouri in his second season?
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The 25-year-old did not have to wait long to set off his goalscoring form, albeit in pre-season. Having broken his duck against the K-League All Stars, Rayan Ait-Nouri struck again in the Hong Kong and South Korea tour's final match, coming off the bench to round off a 3-1 victory over Atletico Madrid in Seoul.
Sent clean through in the closing moments of the game, the Algerian full-back kept his composure to drive a low effort into the far corner, sealing the win after Omar Marmoush’s second-half brace had turned the game on its head.
Before his £31 million move from Wolves to Manchester City last summer, the Algerian racked up more goal involvements than any other defender in the Premier League across the 2024/25 campaign, tallying four goals and seven assists in a standout individual season at Molineux.
His debut year at the Etihad Stadium brought no goals in a competitive Manchester City shirt, however, which only makes his sudden burst of pre-season productivity all the more encouraging.
Ait-Nouri sets Manchester City goalscoring target
Now, speaking after his first Manchester City goal earlier this month - a well-taken finish against the K-League All Stars in Seoul - the Algerian declared his intent to add goals in competitive action too.
“I would like to,” he said, when asked whether finding the net more often was a priority.
“It was my first goal for City and it’s a part of the game I really enjoy. I have always tried to play in an attacking way, but I don’t score all the time," he continued.
“It’s a real sensation for me and I want to learn every day, work more and more to add as much to my game as I can.”
Why Ait-Nouri’s goals matter under Enzo Maresca
His timing could scarcely be better, given the demands of his new head coach. Enzo Maresca has long favoured full-backs who influence the game high up the pitch, regularly instructing his wide defenders to invert into midfield and arrive in dangerous areas rather than simply patrol the flank.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that three academy players will form part of his first-team squad for the 2026/27 campaign.cityxtra.co.ukEnzo Maresca Confirms Man City Academy Trio to Join 2026/27 First-Team Squad
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca has revealed that three academy players will form part of his first-team squad for the 2026/27 campaign.
A left-back capable of adding goals to that profile would be a considerable asset for the Italian’s approach, particularly with the versatile Nico O’Reilly also pushing for minutes in the same area of the pitch.
With the tour now complete and the new competitive season well underway, Rayan Ait-Nouri will be intent on carrying that momentum into cross-competition action. If he can balance his defensive duties with the sort of end product he showcased in Asia, the Algerian may yet prove one of the biggest beneficiaries of City’s new era under Maresca.
Goals from the left-back position will be a familiar concept for Manchester City fans, who have witnessed the likes of Nico O'Reilly, Josko Gvardiol and Aleksandar Kolarov chipping in over the last fifteen years.
Manchester City will be hoping to build upon their opening weekend win over Bournemouth with their first away victory of the campaign, as they take on Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Friday night in the Premier League.