“He was my friend” – New Manchester City and Manchester United signings have already spoken to eachother | OneFootball

Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri has revealed he and former Wolves teammate Matheus Cunha have already spoken since their moves to the north-west this summer.

The Algeria international became the first of four new signings to be formally announced by Manchester City last week ahead of the FIFA Club World Cup, becoming the first natural left-back to join Pep Guardiola’s side since 2017.

It likely brings an end to a run of players being utilised away from their natural positions in the role for Guardiola, despite the success seen through the likes of Nathan Ake, Josko Gvardiol, and most recently Nico O’Reilly.

The deal for Ait-Nouri is also the latest piece of big-money business completed between Manchester City and Wolverhampton Wanderers, following on from Matheus Nunes’ switch late in the 2023 summer market.

While the left-back and the make-shift right-back will reunite at the Etihad Stadium, the pair will be coming up against their former teammate and friend off the pitch in Matheus Cunha in the Manchester derby this season following the Brazilian’s switch to Manchester United.

Speaking to reporters from Manchester City’s training base in the United States ahead of their FIFA Club World Cup opener against Wydad AC, Rayan Ait-Nouri has discussed the feelings behind leaving Wolves after five seasons starring at Molineux.

“It was big emotions because I’ve been at Wolves for five years, a very good club, the people, everyone was incredible in this team,” the Algeria international said.

“I had a lot of friends at Wolves, but now I’m at Manchester City and I want to give everything for this badge.”

One of those friends was the aforementioned newly-signed Manchester United striker, who also made a name for himself with performances for Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Discussing their friendship and whether they had spoken since completing respective moves to Manchester, Rayan Ait-Nouri admitted, “Matheus [Cunha] is my friend, I spoke a little with him [since their moves to Manchester], but I didn’t speak about football.

“I spoke about the life because he was my friend outside the pitch also. But I’m very happy for him also and we will see [each other] in the future, yes.”