England: Ait Nouri records a double assist in the cup! (Video)

Sep 17, 2026

After several weeks of limited playing time, Rayan Aït-Nouri has finally secured a starting position with Manchester City. However, Enzo Maresca has assigned him a rather unusual role.

Promise kept. Enzo Maresca had indicated that he saw Rayan Aït-Nouri more as an offensive player than as a traditional left-back. This Thursday evening, the Manchester City coach made his intentions clear by starting the Algerian international against Norwich in the third round of the Carabao Cup.

For his first start of the season, Aït-Nouri was positioned higher up, on the left flank of the attack in the Citizens' 4-2-3-1 formation. This choice quickly proved fruitful, as the Algerian delivered a particularly convincing performance in this new role.

Aït-Nouri notably shone in the 48th minute by providing an assist to Allan Elias, before repeating the feat just six minutes later, in the 54th minute, this time for Floyd Samba. Two assists within a few minutes for his first start as a left winger, and he played the entire match.

Until now, his playing time had been particularly limited. After four matchdays in the Premier League, the Algerian had not played a single minute in the league. His only appearance had been in the Champions League against FC Porto, where he spent about 15 minutes on the pitch and already provided an assist for Erling Haaland. A few days later, he was even left out of the squad against Manchester United for tactical reasons.

This performance comes at a crucial moment for Aït-Nouri. Brahim Hemdani revealed his first call-up with Algeria this Thursday afternoon, and the Manchester City player is included. Just days before the gathering of the Greens, the Algerian international is regaining rhythm, finally completing 90 minutes and demonstrating that he can contribute in a more offensive role.

DZfoot