Guardiola faith in Donnarumma to get first start for Manchester City in derby | OneFootball

Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma receives his Premier League debut, thrown straight into the Manchester City starting XI against Manchester United.

It kicks off at the Etihad at 16.30 UK time (15.30 GMT).

Pep Guardiola has no qualms about welcome the deadline day signing into the team, immediately handing him the gloves ahead of James Trafford.

This represents the debut for Donnarumma in both the Premier League and for Manchester City, a show of faith in the Azzurri star.

Donnarumma’s Manchester City career begins

BERGAMO, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 05: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy warms up prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier match between Italy and Estonia at Stadio di Bergamo on September 05, 2025 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Mattia Ozbot/Getty Images)

He only met his new teammates a couple of days ago, as he was on international duty with Italy when undergoing the medical tests for the €30m plus bonuses transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

It suggests that he will also be picked for the upcoming Champions League showdown against Napoli on Thursday evening, which will also be in this stadium.

Donnarumma is joined in the starting XI by former Milan midfielder Tijjani Reijnders.

The goalkeeper has unusually chosen the Number 25 jersey.

WOLVERHAMPTON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 16: Tijjani Reijnders of Manchester City celebrates scoring his sides second goal during the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester City at Molineux on August 16, 2025 in Wolverhampton, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Manchester City: Donnarumma; Khusanov, Dias, Gvardiol; O’Reilly, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Reijnders, Doku, Foden, Haaland

Manchester United: Bayindir, Mazraoui, De Ligt, Yoro, Shaw, Dorgu, Fernandes, Ugarte, Amad Diallo, Mbeumo, Sesko