The short version
- Manchester United rejected a loan-with-obligation-to-buy proposal for Manchester City defender Rayan Ait-Nouri.
- The club also failed to finalize a deal for Leicester City teenager Louis Page, who will remain with his current side.
- United's inability to sign these players leaves their defensive depth thin and forces reliance on existing squad members.
Manchester United concluded the transfer window without addressing what management viewed as a critical vulnerability in their defensive lineup. In the final hours before the deadline, the club made urgent inquiries regarding two specific targets: Manchester City full-back Rayan Ait-Nouri and Leicester City midfielder Louis Page. Both attempts ended in failure, leaving United to manage their remaining fixtures with the personnel currently at their disposal.
The pursuit of Ait-Nouri emerged as a last-minute strategy after earlier interest in Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde and Racing Santander’s Jorge Salinas did not materialize. With less than twelve hours remaining in the window, United sources indicated they were exploring a loan arrangement for the Algerian international. However, Manchester City insisted that any move would require an obligation to purchase permanently. United declined this term, preferring a standard loan deal, which led to the collapse of negotiations.
Ait-Nouri remains at Manchester City, where he has yet to feature in competitive action during the current campaign. He sits third on the depth chart behind Josko Gvardiol and Nico O'Reilly under manager Enzo Maresca. The 25-year-old joined City from Wolves for £31 million in June 2025 but struggled for consistent playing time, starting only twelve Premier League matches in his debut season. His retention at City means United must look elsewhere to bolster their left side.
The failure to secure Ait-Nouri has significant implications for United’s youth prospects. Nineteen-year-old Harry Amass, who served as Luke Shaw’s backup during pre-season, was widely expected to depart on loan due to his exclusion from the initial Premier League squad. However, with no experienced alternative acquired, Amass will remain at Old Trafford. He is likely to serve as a third-choice option behind Noussair Mazraoui and Shaw, limiting his development opportunities this season.
In addition to the defensive shortfall, United missed out on Louis Page, an 18-year-old midfielder from Leicester City. Interest in Page had been reported since August, but the deal unraveled when he was named in Leicester’s starting lineup for a League One match against Plymouth. Sources confirmed that negotiations have ceased and Page will stay with the Foxes. Leicester reportedly demanded well over £10 million for the teenager, who has made twenty-five appearances since his debut in August 2025.
United had anticipated loaning Page back to Leicester immediately after signing him, given their substantial investment in other midfielders this summer. The club has already spent more than £150 million on international midfield talent, including Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, both of whom have debuted. Carlos Baleba, a £70 million acquisition from Brighton, is currently sidelined with a minor ankle injury but is expected to return in a few weeks.
The missed opportunities highlight the challenges United faced in navigating the final stages of the transfer window. The club opted against pursuing permanent deals for Ait-Nouri and instead sought flexible loan arrangements that did not align with City’s requirements. Similarly, the high valuation placed on Page by Leicester proved insurmountable for a deal structured around a loan-back arrangement.
As the window closes, United must rely on their current squad to address defensive gaps. Mazraoui has stepped in effectively, replacing Shaw in recent matches, but the lack of depth remains a concern. The failure to add experienced options or secure promising young talent like Page means the coaching staff will need to manage player workloads and tactical setups carefully in the coming weeks.
The episode also underscores the competitive nature of the market for top-tier defensive assets. United’s late scramble for Ait-Nouri reflected a perceived weakness that could not be rectified through earlier planning or alternative targets. With no further moves possible, the focus shifts to how the existing roster performs under pressure in the immediate future.
Looking ahead, the club will need to assess whether these missed opportunities impact their long-term strategy. The retention of Amass and the absence of new midfield reinforcements may influence tactical decisions and player development plans. For now, United must adapt to a squad that lacks the depth they sought to acquire in the final hours of the transfer window.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC Sport↗Man Utd fail in attempt to sign Ait-Nouri from Man City
