Rayan Ait-Nouri Sidelined For Five Weeks With Ankle Injury

Manchester City will be without Rayan Ait-Nouri for about five weeks due to an ankle injury. He is not fully healed. This is a setback for both his club and national team with many games scheduled during the autumn.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Ait-Nouri got injured 22 minutes into Manchester City‘s 2-0 loss to Tottenham. He left the field in pain, and later, medical tests confirmed that he will be out for five weeks. This injury has kept him from joining the Algeria national team for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Consequently, he will miss important Premier League games, including the Manchester derby against United this Sunday. Coach Pep Guardiola mentioned that the club will monitor his recovery closely and will not rush him back. Josko Gvardiol is returning to training and can cover at left-back.

AIT-NOURI’S SEASON SO FAR & TEAM IMPACT

Ait-Nouri was the big summer signing from Wolves. Last season, he had four goals and seven assists in 37 league starts, known for his attacking play as a left-back. Since joining City, he had settled into an important role, but was still adapting to Guardiola’s system. Manchester City are currently facing challenges in the Premier League, sitting mid-table and one point behind Manchester United. Tellingly, City’s defense has already rotated due to injuries; Ait-Nouri’s absence is noticeable as he was expected to add more attacking energy to the team.

WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

Manchester City are preparing to play Manchester United at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday. With Ait-Nouri injured, Josko Gvardiol or Nathan Aké may start at left-back. City find themselves mid-table in the Premier League, well behind Liverpool and Arsenal who look like the biggest title contenders this season. City’s upcoming matches will be against Napoli for the Champions League before visiting Arsenal next weekend, both teams aiming for European spots. The medical update suggests that Ait-Nouri might return during or just after October’s international break, and his absence will challenge the squad’s depth.