Manchester City suffer major injury blow against Tottenham ahead of Manchester United fixture | OneFootball

Rayan Ait-Nouri suffered an injury to his ankle and was hauled off for Nathan Ake in the first half of Manchester City’s clash against Tottenham on Saturday.

The Algeria international joined Manchester City from Wolves this summer and has been a welcome arrival to the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola signing a natural left-back after years of operating with makeshift names in the position.

City started their 2025-26 Premier League season in dominant fashion against Wolves last week, with Ait-Nouri playing 90 minutes and helping his new club keep a clean sheet in a 4-0 triumph against his former side at the Molineux Stadium.

Expectations were high for Ait-Nouri entering the season after a series of stellar displays from the 24-year-old at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States in June, with Guardiola naming the left-back in his starting XI against Tottenham on Saturday.

However, the Algerian suffered a blow to his ankle as a result of a challenge for the ball in the Tottenham half and despite his evident discomfort, the summer signing sought attention from Manchester City’s medical staff and attempted to walk off the issue.

Despite his willingness to carry on, Ait-Nouri signalled to the bench and Manchester City sent on Nathan Ake in place of their newest defensive addition, though the full extent of Ait-Nouri’s injury remains to be seen.

The first-half substitution came at a poor moment for Manchester City, who conceded twice after Ait-Nouri’s injury as Brennan Johnson and Joao Palhinha netted for Thomas Frank’s side to give the visitors a deserving 2-0 lead heading into the interval.

Omar Marmoush came closest to finding the net for Manchester City in the opening 45 minutes, with Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Oscar Bobb all trying to produce inspiring moments to slice open what had been a resolute Tottenham defence up until the interval.

Ait-Nouri appeared to be in significant discomfort as he walked off the pitch and this puts major doubts over the Manchester City man’s availability ahead of crucial Premier League meetings with Manchester United and Arsenal.

Ake is expected to retain his spot at left-back as Ait-Nouri recovers, with Josko Gvardiol deemed unfit for Tottenham as he himself recovers from injury, with Savinho, Mateo Kovacic and Marcus Bettinelli all excluded from the matchday squad to face the north Londoners.

Guardiola is expected to provide an update on Ait-Nouri’s injury after the game but a lengthy spell on the sidelines will come as a major blow for Manchester City, who are looking to challenge on all fronts this term and cannot afford significant absentees again this term.