Manchester United were in the market for another left-back in the final hours of the transfer window but a potential deal for Rayan Ait-Nouri did not materialise
Rayan Ait-Nouri before a Man City game
Rayan Ait-Nouri was offered to Manchester United prior to transfer deadline day(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media)
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Manchester United's search for a new left-back on deadline day led to them making a shock approach for Rayan Ait-Nouri, it has emerged.
The Red Devils have been active in the summer transfer window, bringing three new central midfielders to the club in Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans and Carlos Baleba. But they have been frustrated in their attempts to sign a new left-back to compete with first-choice Luke Shaw.
As speculation over United's plans grew on deadline day, The Manchester Evening News have confirmed that they approached their bitter rivals Manchester City to gauge whether Ait-Nouri would be available after being offered the defender by his agent.
City would only consider a loan with an obligation to make the move permanent for a player who only moved to The Etihad last summer.
But with United not interested in committing to signing Ait-Nouri permanently, a deal for the Algeria international failed to materialise.
Signed for £36m from Wolves, Ait-Nouri has found himself behind Nico O'Reilly and Josko Gvardiol in the City pecking order, with the latter starting the season at left-back for Manchester City.
Shaw is Manchester United's only senior recognised left-back with Patrick Dorgu now seen as an option further forward on the wing.
Their search for reinforcements has seen them make enquiries for the Barcelona left-back, Alejandro Balde, in recent days, but again United were only interested in a loan deal for the 22-year-old.
United also considered a late swoop for Racing Santander's Jorge Salinas before deciding against pursuing a deal.
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