Ex-Man United defender Paul Parker believes his former club should have competed with Manchester City for the signature of Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The Italian international sealed his £26m move to the Etihad on Deadline Day, but speaking exclusively to Man U News (courtesy of AceOdds.com), Parker said that the Red Devils should have made a concerted effort to buy the keeper:
“I think United dropped the ball by not going in for Donnarumma. He’s a presence. Donnarumma is like an old-fashioned, heavyweight boxer. He’s got that stature and arrogance. He’ll be claiming the ball and cleaning everyone out. Teams will have to think when they face City now. A goalkeeper’s presence is so instant to a team.”
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Parker said he has been particularly alarmed by Altay Bayindir’s performances during the opening weeks of the season:
“Teams feel when a goalkeeper wants to stay on his line, like Bayindir against Arsenal. The Fulham game was shocking. It was scary. He was like a cat caught in the middle of the M25, and he didn’t know which direction to go in. He’s petrified of corners.”
Was Donnarumma ever a realistic target?
The transfer fee that City ended up paying for the 26-year-old was pretty reasonable, so there is no doubt that United would have been able to afford him.
However, Donnarumma’s wages are another matter, and you also need to consider that City have Champions League football, so he may well have favoured a switch to the blue half of Manchester anyway.
Man United have signed a new No.1
While the Red Devils did not pursue a move for Donnarumma, they did secure the services of another shot-stopper before the transfer window closed on Monday evening.
The Manchester club announced the arrival of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. They will pay an initial £18.2m for the Belgian, with another €4m (£3.5m) due in performance-related add-ons.
Read more about the Manchester United First Team Squad for 2025/26 here