Gianluigi Donnarumma: City star’s stance on Man United move will annoy many fans | OneFootball

Manchester United were convincingly beaten 3-0 by Manchester City in the derby over the weekend.

For the majority of the match, Pep Guardiola’s men kept United on the backfoot, and created a number of chances. As such, it would be naive to think a single player could have made a difference to the result.

However, the Red Devils would have certainly avoided an embarrassing scoreline if Gianluigi Donnarumma was guarding their net instead of City’s.

Donnarumma shines in Manchester derby

Donnarumma marked his debut for City with a stellar performance against United, making several outstanding saves. In particular, the 6ft 5in phenom denied Bryan Mbeumo from scoring a brilliant volley with his fully stretched arm.

While Altay Bayındır’s nervy goalkeeping never allowed the United backline to settle, Donnarumma emerged as a reliable figure between the sticks for his new team. His solid display underlined why City signed him despite question marks over his ability with the ball at his feet.

Interestingly, United were also strongly linked with the Italy international after Paris Saint-Germain made him available for sale.

Donnarumma preferred joining Manchester United

According to journalist Rory Smith (via Football Daily’s Monday Night Club), the ex-PSG superstar preferred a move to the red half of Manchester before completing a £30 million switch to the Etihad.

“I’m not 100% certain of this, but what I have heard, which isn’t always accurate, is that Donnarumma preferred United over City initially, because of the glamour of United,” journalist Rory Smith said on Football Daily’s Monday Night Club.

“But United couldn’t get close to the money that he wanted, and City could. So he was perfectly happy to do that.”

Smith doesn’t sound very sure of his information. Regardless, United should have made more effort to sign an experienced shot-stopper like Donnarumma considering the pressure that comes with playing between the sticks for them.

With his team selection against City, Amorim suggested he doesn’t yet fully trust new signing Senne Lammens.

The 23-year-old has been signed from Royal Antwerp, having played only one full season in the Belgian Pro League.

Featured image Justin Setterfield via Getty Images

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