Man Utd shocked by nearly signing a "rival team's player" as a last-minute reinforcement before the Premier League transfer deadline.
On 3 September 2026, The Times, a leading British media outlet, revealed that Manchester United caused a shock on the final day of the Premier League summer transfer window on the night of 1 September.
The report stated that Man Utd inquired about signing Algerian left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri from Manchester City, their local rivals, with less than 12 hours remaining before the window closed, following Luke Shaw's concerning performance in the recent Premier League match where they won 5-2 at home against Ipswich Town.
Man Utd aimed to strengthen their left-back position in the final moments of the summer transfer window after Newcastle United confirmed they would not sell Lewis Hall, Man Utd's primary target. Secondary targets Alejandro Balde (Barcelona) and Jorge Salinas (Racing Santander) were also no longer options.
Sources revealed that Man Utd offered to loan Rayan Aït-Nouri, who is a backup to Nico O'Reilly and Josko Gvardiol, but the offer was rejected because Man City would only release the player with a mandatory purchase clause after the season, which the "Red Devils" were not interested in committing to a permanent deal.
As a result, Man Utd will continue to use Luke Shaw as their first-choice left-back at least until the winter transfer window in January, with Noussair Mazraoui, who can play on both flanks, as the second option, and 19-year-old prospect Harry Amass likely remaining with the team as the third standby option rather than being loaned out.
