Rayan Aït-Nouri returned to Manchester City colours as a substitute in the 5-1 win over AEK Athens in the Champions League, after more than a month out of Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Rayan Aït-Nouri has taken to a Champions League pitch once again. The 25-year-old Algerian left-back came on during Manchester City’s emphatic win over AEK Athens (5-1) on matchday three of the league phase, according to Botola.dz. The appearance ends more than a month away from Pep Guardiola’s squad.
Absent from every Manchester City matchday squad since 17 September 2026, with no injury reported, he is back in a context of fierce competition on the left flank and with transfer rumours linking him to Italy and the Premier League.
A return after more than a month out
Aït-Nouri’s appearance against AEK Athens marks his return to City’s matchday squads after more than a month without being named in the group. No injury was reported during that absence.
According to Foot Afrique, the player had been seen putting in extra individual training sessions after matches to stay sharp during that period.
City’s win over the Greeks keeps the club’s European momentum going. For the Algerian full-back, it is his first competitive minutes in several weeks.
Tough competition on the left flank
On the left side of the Manchester defence, Aït-Nouri must contend with competition from Joško Gvardiol and Nico O’Reilly, giving Pep Guardiola plenty of options in that position.
His return to the squad is a first positive sign. He must now string games together to cement his place in the Spanish coach’s rotation.
Exit rumours in Italy and England
With the winter transfer window approaching, transfer rumours surround the player’s future. According to Foot Afrique, AC Milan and Juventus are monitoring his situation ahead of the January window.
In the Premier League, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United are also said to be keeping tabs on the Algerian international. At this stage, the information remains rumours.
Meanwhile, according to Botola.dz, the left-back’s return is reassuring for the Algeria national team’s coaching staff ahead of the international fixtures, including the camp scheduled for early November.
Focus on the Premier League
Manchester City return to Premier League action this weekend, with the next round of league fixtures.