Manchester City play Manchester United in a blockbuster clash at Old Trafford next Saturday, and Pep Guardiola’s side are expected to welcome a player back for the fixture.
09:00, 11 Jan 2026Updated 09:12, 11 Jan 2026
Man City left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri is set to return for the Manchester derby.(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester City are all-set to be handed a boost with Rayan Ait-Nouri returning from the Africa Cup of Nations after Algeria were knocked out in the quarter-final by Nigeria on Saturday.
Ait-Nouri, who signed for City in a £31.8million switch from Wolves last summer, featured in each of Algeria’s five matches at the tournament in Morocco and played 90 minutes against Nigeria.
However, the 24-year-old was unable to help his nation progress to the semi-final, as they suffered a 2-0 defeat and exited the competition at the last eight stage. Galatasaray’s Victor Osimhen and Sevilla’s Akor Adams scored for a star-studded Nigeria side, who boast a number of Premier League players in their squad.
But for Ait-Nouri, he’s now set to return to England and be available for City in the immediate future. Though it’s uncertain whether he will be back in time for Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semi-final first-leg trip to Newcastle United, he is, however, expected to be in contention for next Saturday’s derby clash against Manchester United.
Ait-Nouri, who has endured a difficult start to life at the Etihad Stadium since his move from Wolves, is tipped to battle Nico O’Reilly and Nathan Ake for the left-back spot in Pep Guardiola’s XI. The former Angers man has started just four games for City after suffering with injury, fitness and form issues.
Having managed to get a run of matches under his belt for Algeria at AFCON, Ait-Nouri could be about to get the chance to shine for City. Guardiola’s men are right in the middle of a chaotic fixture run right now – with City facing five more matches before the end of January, meaning the entire squad might be needed.
Rayan Ait-Nouri is set to return to Man City after Algeria were eliminated from AFCON. (Image: Getty Images)
One player who now isn’t due to return for City against United is Omar Marmoush, after Egypt booked their place in the semi-final at AFCON with a 3-2 win against Ivory Coast on Saturday. Marmoush scored Egypt’s opening goal as they edged a five-goal thriller in Agadir to set up a showdown with Senegal on Wednesday.
Ivory Coast’s exit from the tournament will see Amad return for United ahead of the game against City.
He will join Bryan Mbeumo to be back for the Reds after Cameroon crashed out against Morocco on Friday.
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