Will it happen? United knock on the door of Algeria's star before the transfer window closes

Genuine interest: a race against time

Manchester United have made urgent contact with Manchester City to enquire about signing one of their stars, a surprise move in the final hours of the summer transfer window.

Journalist Ben Jacobs reported via X, citing talkSPORT's Alex Crook, that United had made a preliminary enquiry over Algerian left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri.

United's interest in the 25-year-old defender is "genuine", he confirmed, opening the door to a possible move into coach Michael Carrick's ranks.

Getting the deal done, though, looks difficult. Time is short before the window shuts, and the historic rivalry between the two Manchester clubs "may increase the complications of any potential negotiations".

Ait-Nouri managed just 17 Premier League matches with City last season after arriving from Wolverhampton for £32 million last summer.

Competition for the left-back berth is fierce at the Etihad, with Josko Gvardiol, Nico O'Reilly and Rico Lewis all able to fill the role.

Doubts over the Algerian's future have grown since Pep Guardiola's departure, according to the same report.