Manchester United will no doubt be looking at the January transfer window to secure reinforcements as they look to right their wrongs of the 2026 summer.

Despite bringing in three new midfielders, Andrey Santos, Youri Tielemans, and Carlos Balerdi, for £155 million, and signing new second-choice goalkeeper Karl Darlow, those at Old Trafford left major gaps in Michael Carrick's squad.

It was widely reported that the United boss, alongside three new midfielders, wanted to secure a left-back to compete with Luke Shaw and sign a new striker to cover for Benjamin Šeško, who is nursing a shin issue.

However, with Marcus Rashford returning from a season-long loan at Barcelona and failing to find a new club, the club decided to treat him as a new attacking signing, while a deadline-day move for Man City left-back Rayan Aït-Nouri didn't materialise.

With United's summer mistakes through their lack of action very clear, it has been stated that the club are looking to add further reinforcements to their squad during the winter transfer window, and Aït-Nouri's name is circulating in the media again.

While a move from City to United is often considered a non-starter, the fact that Nico O’Reilly and Joško Gvardiol are both ahead of him in Enzo Maresca's pecking order has increased the chances of a cross-town move.

According to French outlet, L’Equipe, a source close to the Algerian international has confirmed that the former Wolves star's representatives are doing everything they can to secure a move away from City this month.

"Everything is being done to try and leave this winter," the source reportedly stated. The player remains highly regarded in England and beyond.

"We need to find the best possible solution with Manchester City. He can’t stay in this situation where his talent is being wasted."

At 25, signing Aït-Nouri could be a smart business move for United, but only if a deal with City can be secured quickly and without extortionate fees.

His clear lack of importance at the Etihad works in United's favour, with City possibly looking at selling the Algerian as an easy way to make money without losing too much value in his squad, but they would be wary of being complicit in improving their rivals.

But from a United perspective, it's a move that makes a lot of sense. United lack an attacking threat down the left-hand side, with Diogo Dalot, a right-back, and Ayden Heaven, a centre-back, covering the position amid Shaw's injury woes.

Aït-Nouri is no stranger to attacking returns, having amassed 9 goals and 17 assists in 152 Premier League appearances – a very good return for a defender.

He was also a key factor in Matheus Cunha's success at Wolves, with the duo forming a devastating left-flank partnership under several managers. Rekindling that relationship at Old Trafford could be a shrewd move for the Reds.