There looks to be only one path into the Manchester City lineup for an Algerian international

There looks to be only one path into the Manchester City lineup for an Algerian international So far this season Rayan Ait-Nouri has only made one appearance for Manchester City. That came off the bench in Manchester City’s opening UEFA Champions League league phase fixture against FC Porto. Ait-Nouri came off the bench to provide an assist for Erling Haaland’s second goal of the night at the Estádio do Dragão. Ait-Nouri did make an important contribution in City’s 2-0 win playing on the left wing. However, Rayan Ait-Nouri wasn’t even in Manchester City’s matchday squad for their 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford last Sunday. Looking what prospect Ait-Nouri has of playing a somewhat consistent role for Enzo Maresca’s side, a role on the wing is his best opportunity. Even then, he faces a stiff battle to find a spot out wide. Enzo Maresca sees Rayan Ait-Nouri as more of a winger than a full-back. Speaking ahead of last weekend’s Manchester derby, in quotes relayed by Hayters TV , Enzo Maresca explained that he sees Rayan Ait-Nouri as winger more than a full-back. The Manchester City manager explained: “ When he was at Wolves, I know he was playing back five, so it was more wing-back than full-back. In this moment, I see him more winger than full-back. But that means that in the future, if we need him as a full-back, we are not going to use him? Probably yes (we will use him there), but in this moment, yeah, he’s more a winger. ” Maresca added that Ait-Nouri’s strengths as a player make him suited to playing in attacking role. He added: “ I think technically he’s very good, also in one-v-one he’s goodIn terms of passes, the other day he made good assists for Erling. “ Even playing as a winger Rayan Ait-Nouri faces stiff competition for a consistent role at Manchester City. Nico O’Reilly and Josko Gvardiol are firmly established as Manchester City’s left-back options. Against FC Porto, in Manchester City’s first UEFA Champions League league phase fixture, Enzo Maresca used Abdukodir Khusanov at left-back to replace Josko Gvardiol instead of Rayan Ait-Nouri. Maresca’s actions back up his words of where he sees Ait-Nouri’s fit in his squad. Ait-Nouri looks set to be a winger this season. However, he faces a fight to earn a place out wide for Manchester City. When every player is fully fit and available, Jeremy Doku and Antoine Semenyo are Manchester City’s first options on the left wing. Semenyo, Phil Foden, Iliman Ndiaye and Rayan Cherki can all play on the right. So Ait-Nouri’s best opportunity is to play on the left wing. However, there is quality competition ahead of Rayan Ait-Nouri.  As a player, Ait-Nouri is technically gifted and excels with the ball at his feet and his passing and range of passing is exceptional. But getting himself in front of Semenyo and Doku is no easy task. However, it seems to be one that Ait-Nouri must take on to play more often at Manchester City. Rayan Ait-Nouri looks destined to be used as a winger by Enzo Maresca. The Algerian international is certainly gifted enough to be a dangerous option out wide in the final third. So far this season Ait-Nouri has been on the periphery of the City squad. Perhaps if he does start in Manchester City’s next match, their third round Carabao Cup tie, against Norwich City and impress, Ait-Nouri may earn more minutes. You feel he simply has to if he is to be more than a bit-part player for Manchester City.