Paul Scholes has admitted that there is a current Manchester City player who he would love at Manchester United.
The 2025/26 campaign has not got off to a good start for either of the Manchester clubs despite both spending big during the summer transfer window, with Man City completing a deal for Gianluigi Donnarumma on transfer deadline day.
The Italian is the seventh new face to arrive at the Etihad Stadium during the summer months as Pep Guardiola looks to rebuild his squad for the current campaign and the next.
Speaking about City’s transfer window, Scholes has admitted that he would have loved it had Man United signed one of the players who decided to move to the Etihad Stadium, as the former midfielder thinks he is “unbelievable”.
Paul Scholes working as a pundit during Manchester United v Olympique Lyonnais.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Paul Scholes would love Gianluigi Donnarumma at Man United
Donnarumma completed his £26m move to Man City on deadline day, with the Italian goalkeeper set to replace Ederson at the Premier League giants, who has left the Manchester club to join Fenerbahce.
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The 26-year-old’s transfer has yet to be officially confirmed by Man City; however, Donnarumma has already been approved by Erling Haaland, with the Norwegian praising the former PSG star’s performances in the Champions League last season.
With the goalkeeper position a big topic of discussion at Man United throughout the opening phase of the 2025/26 campaign, Scholes has now admitted that he would have loved Donnarumma at Old Trafford.
“I love the keeper. I think he’s brilliant, and I’d have him at United tomorrow, today, whenever. I think at £40m he’s unbelievable,” Scholes said on The Overlap Fan Debate.
“But for Pep [Guardiola], you’ve got to be almost able to play central midfield as a goalkeeper for Pep. I just don’t see it. And I think that’s the reason [Luis] Enrique is getting rid of him at PSG as well, because he’s not great with his feet.”
This will be a major concern for Man City fans, and it is the main reason why the transfer does not make sense to many within the football world.
Gianluigi Donnarumma in action during Chelsea FC v Paris Saint-Germain.
Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images
How Ederson compares to Gianluigi Donnarumma
The signing of Donnarumma is a big risk for Man City, as the goalkeeper is the total opposite of Ederson, with the PSG star being a very good shot-stopper, but he is not the best with the ball at his feet, which has always been crucial in Guardiola’s teams.
The Italian is also not good at dealing with crosses into the box, which is going to be an issue in the Premier League, with Altay Bayindir proving this at Man United during the opening phase of the season so far.
Player Games Goals Conceded Clean Sheets Minutes
Ederson 40 54 13 3611
Gianluigi Donnarumma 47 43 17 4192
Ederson and Gianluigi Donnarumma’s 24/25 stats
It will be interesting to see if Guardiola tries to change Donnarumma’s style of play or if the legendary coach will let him perform the way he did last season.
Whatever happens, this will be a big change for everyone at Man City, as Ederson was a crucial element in their success over the last eight years.