Rayan Ait-Nouri was left out of Manchester City’s squad for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat by Liverpool, less than three weeks after being sent home from the Algeria camp.
The left-back was also omitted for the Manchester derby and has yet to play a single minute in the Premier League this season. Manchester City have not provided an official explanation for his absences, so they cannot formally be regarded as disciplinary action.
The sporting picture is clearer, however. Ait-Nouri is currently outside Enzo Maresca’s first-choice plans, despite making a positive contribution in the limited opportunities he has received.
The former Wolverhampton player has played only 105 minutes this season, across two matches. He came on for the final 15 minutes against Porto in the Champions League and supplied an assist, before starting against Norwich in the League Cup and creating two more goals.
Those three assists have not yet translated into a Premier League appearance. Manchester City have won their opening six league matches, while competition for places remains intense, leaving Maresca with little reason to alter a successful starting line-up.
Ait-Nouri joined Manchester City to take the next step in his career, but he must now persuade Maresca in training and wait for an opening. The longer that wait continues, the more difficult it becomes to regain match sharpness.
Algeria return also uncertain
His club situation has developed at an especially difficult time internationally. Frustrated after being left unused against Zambia, Ait-Nouri showed his displeasure while on the bench before leaving the Algeria camp.
Brahim Hemdani subsequently decided to exclude him from the squads for the matches against Burundi and Niger. The door has not been closed permanently, but a return would now require a gesture towards the coaching staff as well as an improvement in his club form.
The lack of playing time had already caused frustration for the left-back. He is now caught in a difficult cycle: Algeria could have provided him with minutes and helped him recover rhythm and confidence, but he must first play regularly for Manchester City to put himself back in contention for the national team.
Meanwhile, Jaouen Hadjam is strengthening his position at left-back and giving Hemdani an increasingly credible alternative. The longer Ait-Nouri remains out of favour, the more work he will have to do to reclaim his place at both club and international level.
If he cannot reverse the situation, a move away in January could become almost unavoidable as he seeks to revive his career on both fronts.