Rayan Ait-Nouri made his Manchester City late on Sunday night by starting in his new team’s FIFA Club World Cup clash with Al Ain.
The 24-year-old Algeria international — a recent £33.7million arrival from Wolves — was deployed as a left wing back, operating high up the pitch, with Pep Guardiola having opted to play three central defenders behind him.
With City utterly dominant against opposition from Abu Dhabi, Ait-Nouri grabbed the opportunity to show off his attacking talents — and he left many fans impressed.
City YouTuber Steven Mcinerney declared: ‘Ait-Nouri looks quality.’
Another City fan replied: ‘His first touch almost reminds me of [Riyad] Mahrez.’ A third added: ‘So much better than [Matheus] Nunes on the other side’.
Rayan Ait-Nouri made his debut for Man City against Al Ain at the Club World Cup on Sunday
The Algerian left back, fresh from his £33.7million transfer from Wolves, left fans impressed
Ait-Nouri’s dribbling skills dazzled on Sunday night, with the highlight being a cheeky Cruyff Turn and nutmeg midway through the second half.
One comment read: ‘Ait-Nouri is exactly what we needed, this guy glides past defenders.’
Another fan tweeted: ‘The way Rayan Ait-Nouri moves and dribbles reminds me of prime Moussa Dembele.’
