Rayan Ait-Nouri had to wait to make an impact for Manchester City this season. Injury and his participation at AFCON with Algeria held Ait-Nouri back from putting his best foot forward for Pep Guardiola’s side to begin his City career. Recently, Rayan Ait-Nouri has shown exactly why Manchester City were so keen to sign the supremely talented left-back from Wolverhampton Wanderers last summer. He has slotted in superbly well at left-back, and his strong form has added another valuable weapon to Pep Guardiola’s side.
Manchester City have another weapon both in attack and defence with Rayan Ait-Nouri back and in form.
Rayan Ait-Nouri has now had a sustained run of starts for Manchester City. He has started each of City’s past five matches in all competitions. After having made a stuttering start to this season due to injury and internatuobal duty, Ait-Nouri has quickly made up for lost time. He has shown what he will adds to Pep Guardiola’s side both with and without the ball, which has been vitally important to his team’s play.
Having both full-backs pushed wide and bombing forward gives Pep Guardiola’s side the width they need in their attacking play. Matheus Nunes and Nico O’Reilly have done this all season. Now that Rayan Ait-Nouri has established himself in the Manchester City first team, he has added his own weapons going forward to City’s attacking play. Ait-Nouri is a supremely gifted player when in possession. It is a strong attribute of his game. His ability to make overlapping runs and provide quality delivery makes him a dangerous weapon. Ait-Nouri’s ability to move inside also complements what City possess in the final third.
What else has stood out in Manchester City’s past two wins against Liverpool and Fulham, has been Ait-Nouri’s work in defence. He defended superbly well against Liverpool in a vital City win. Ait-Nouri helped contain the threat of Mo Salah on Liverpool’s right-hand side. With Salah well-contained, Manchester City were able to do what they had to do to beat Arne Slot’s side. Against Fulham, Ait-Nouri was again defensively solid. He also played a key role in Manchester City’s third goal of the night. Ait-Nouri dispossessed Fulham midfielder Sander Berge in midfield before setting up a City attack. Erling Haaland finished the move with a quality strike, but it was Ait-Nouri’s strength and determination that set up the goal for Manchester City.
Final thoughts.
There was little doubt that Rayan Ait-Nouri had the quality, talent, and temperament to claim a spot in the Manchester City starting lineup. He just needed some luck and an opportunity to prove himself. That finally arrived in Manchester City’s past five matches, and Ait-Nouri has seized that opportunity with both hands. Rayan Ait-Nouri’s strong form has allowed Nico O’Reilly to shift into midfield, and Pep Guardiola’s side looks stronger for that particular move. They also look strong with Ait-Nouri at left-back. Manchester City are building into a key part of this season, and Rayan Ait-Nouri looks like playing a key role in a crucial stage of this campaign for Pep Guardiola’s side.