Who starts in goal for Manchester City against Manchester United isn’t immediately clear | OneFootball

With the departure of Ederson to Fenerbahce and the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma at Manchester City from PSG, Pep Guardiola’s side has entered a new era at the goalkeeper position. Ederson was Manchester City’s number-one goalkeeper for eight years. But that era is now over. The start of a new era in goal at City begins this weekend against Manchester United. But which goalkeeper starts for Sunday’s Manchester derby isn’t immediately apparent.

Could Gianluigi Donnarumma make his Manchester City debut on Sunday?

There would appear to be two choices to start in goal for Manchester City against Manchester United on Sunday. They would be Gianluigi Donnarumma or James Trafford. It would seem that it would take something exceptional to occur for Stefan Ortega to start at the Etihad. So it appears to be a choice between Donnarumma and Trafford.

Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma on the final day of the summer transfer window. The Italian international arrived at the club from PSG. He is yet to train with his new teammates after heading off to represent Italy after signing for City. Perhaps that fact may see Donnarumma start on the bench against Manchester City’s arch-rivals. But there is a case for him to start on Sunday.

Donnarumma is a proven performer at the highest level. He has shown that across his career for both club and country. The Italian international has played and thrived on the biggest stages for AC Milan and PSG. He has also done the same for his country. A debut in a Manchester derby for Donnarumma isn’t out of the realm of possibility. When you look at his character and talent in goal, it is perhaps the ideal stage for Donnarumma to make his Manchester City debut.

James Trafford would be eager to start his first Manchester derby.

Since arriving at Manchester City from Burnley this summer, James Trafford has started Manchester City’s first three games of the new Premier League season. He has had impressive outings against Wolves and Brighton. The young goalkeeper wasn’t at his best in Manchester City’s 2-nil defeat to Tottenham in their second game of the season. But he has shown he is ready to start a game as big as a Manchester derby. In fact, given Trafford’s desire and determination, he’d be desperate to start on Sunday.

James Trafford has risen through the youth ranks at Manchester City. He knows all too well the rivalry that exists between the two clubs. The opportunity to start in a game that means so much to his club and the fans would be a special moment for Trafford. The young keeper has also started the first three games of this season. So he has worked his way into a position to start on Sunday. Whether or not he does remains to be seen.

Summary.

It isn’t immediately apparent who will start in goal for Manchester City against Manchester United. Gianluigi Donnarumma or James Trafford will both be up for the challenge and the occasion that awaits. They are both quality goalkeepers so whoever gets the nod will be more than capable of doing the job that is required for his team at the Etihad on Sunday.