03/09/2026

SPORTS THURSDAY | SEPT 3, 2026

30

Rayan blow for Devils Manchester United’s late attempt to sign City left-back on loan falls flat

U

NITED made a surprise approach to Manchester City over a possible loan for Rayan Ait-Nouri after the Algeria interna tional’s representatives sounded out the

club. However, City indicated that they would only con sider a loan if it included an obligation for United to buy the 25-year-old, a condition the Old Trafford club was not prepared to accept. Rayan therefore remained at City after United’s late enquiry failed to develop into a deal. The move highlighted United’s concerns at left back, an area they had been attempting to strengthen throughout the summer. United had explored several alternatives, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall understood to have

ticularly notable given their heavy investment in mid field. They brought in Carlos Baleba, Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, strengthening an area that had been a major focus for Carrick. The club will now have to manage the left-back position with the squad they have, with Shaw and Amass the principal specialist options and Dorgu providing cover. Meanwhile, United rejected a late offer from Everton for forward Joshua Zirkzee and ended their pursuit of 18-year-old Louis Page after failing to agree terms with Leicester City. The transfer window may be closed, but United’s leftback question remains very much open. – The Independent/Agencies

Man United’s late move for Rayan Ait-Nouri fell through as their leftback concerns persist. – REUTERSPIC

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02/09/2026 (WED)

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Draw Date: 02/09/26 (Wed)

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keeper Federico Ravaglia. Swansea’s intensity inevitably dropped after the interval, but they remained in control and could have added a third when substitute Melker Widell fed Eom, whose effort was smothered by Ravaglia. Watford had chances before the break, with Mattie Pollock and Hector Kyprianou both forc ing saves from Swansea goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux, but the visitors were unable to turn their opportunities into goals. “I am really pleased with the moment we are in. It was a really good game, especially the first half and the two goals,” Swansea head coach Vitor Matos told BBC Sport . “After that tiredness came in a little bit, we lost a little bit of consistency, which is normal. That’s the next step, trying to stay on the same level for more time. “But I think everyone should be really pleased because of the performance, and that comes down to the players and what they are believing in and putting in in terms of effort and passion.” Dionisi admitted Watford were second best in the opening period. “I am not happy with this match. In posses sion Swansea played well and my team, in and out of possession, played badly in the first half. The result of the first half was right,” he said. “In the second half my team played better, but it was probably hard to recover.”– Agencies Shaw throughout the campaign. “I don’t think we can rely on him to play all the games,” Rooney said, suggesting Dorgu could be used at leftback when required. Former United leftback Patrice Evra has also urged the club to recruit another player in the position, expressing concerns about Shaw’s ability to maintain his fitness and con sistency. “If Luke Shaw can give me a 35-game sea son, then that’s a good season,” Evra said. “They need another leftback.” The concern is not new. Shaw has missed significant periods through injury during his United career, while United have regularly had to adapt their defensive structure when he is unavailable. That made the failed approach for Rayan particularly significant. Rather than being an opportunistic move for a player from their local rivals, it represented United’s latest attempt to address a position they had identi fied as needing reinforcement. United’s failure to solve the problem is par

SWANSEA CITY climbed to the top of the Championship table with an impressive 2-0 victory over Watford. Eom Jisung swept home an early opener before Adam Idah added a second as Swansea turned on the style in a dominant first half. The victory gives Swansea 10 points from four league games, lifting them above Charlton Athletic and Wolverhampton Wanderers and to the summit of the second tier for the first time in almost seven years. Watford, meanwhile, slipped into the bot tom half after suffering their first Championship defeat under new manager Alessio Dionisi. Swansea looked in the mood from the out set, with Marko Stamenic heading Josh Tymon’s corner against the post before Joseph Opoku almost converted the rebound. The hosts soon got their reward as their high tempo and quality in possession proved too much for Watford. Home debutant Stephen Eustaquio rolled a pass through for Idah, who raced in behind before centring for Eom to finish first time from close range. The roles were reversed for Swansea’s sec ond goal. Eom danced into space near halfway before sending Idah clear with a delightful through-ball. The former Celtic striker, preferred once again to Zan Vipotnik, kept his composure to roll his shot between the legs of Watford goal been a leading target. They also considered RB Leipzig’s David Raum, Fulham’s Antonee Robinson and Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, but none of those moves materialised. Instead, United finished the window with out adding a specialist senior left-back, despite Shaw’s long history of injuries and the demands of a season in which they will com pete on four fronts. Shaw, 31, enjoyed his best campaign in several years last season and started all 38 League matches, but United still face a signifi cant depth problem behind him. His only natural senior deputy is 19-year-old Harry Amass. Patrick Dorgu is another option, although the Denmark international has increasingly been used further forward since Carrick took charge. His versatility could prove important dur ing the season, but it leaves United without an obvious alternative if Shaw is unavailable. Former United striker Wayne Rooney has questioned whether the club can depend on

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