Manchester United are not the only team making a potential goalkeeper change ahead of the weekend’s derby.
This coming weekend Manchester United visit The Etihad to face Manchester City, from a superior position in the table. City have lost two consecutive games, with pressure building on Pep Guardiola.
The two teams both signed goalkeepers on transfer deadline day, with United signing Belgian prospect Senne Lammens.
With Andre Onana sent on loan to Trabzonspor, United have to choose between Lammens and Altay Bayindir.
City have signed two goalkeepers this summer. They first splashed out £31 million to sign James Trafford, and have now signed Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Donnarumma was linked to Manchester United, but the Red Devils were not interested in paying the ex-PSG star’s high wages.
City were keen to pay up and could throw Donnarumma straight into the derby at The Etihad. But he will do so on the back of a disappointing game.
Gianluigi Donnarumma in action for Italy in World Cup qualifier
Photo by ATTILA KISBENEDEK/AFP via Getty Images
More United News
Gianluigi Donnarumma slammed for Italy performance
Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Italy were on the brink of World Cup elimination after falling 2-0 down to Israel in qualifying, which would have left them six points back from the top spots.
A dramatic game ended 5-4 to Italy after a stoppage time winner, leaving Gennaro Gattuso’s side in with a chance of still making it to USA 2026.
But when a goalkeeper concedes four goals, usually something has gone very wrong, and Donnarumma did not play well at all.
He was directly at fault for one of the goals when he attempted to punch a corner clear, but the ball spun over his own head, for one of his teammates to head into an own goal.
Donnarumma’s performance was slammed by the Italian media, with low player ratings, and one cutting assessment claiming he proved PSG right to sell him.
Il Messaggero called him ‘unrecognisable’ and graded him 4.5/10.
Corriere della Sera marked Donnarumma at 5/10, adding “Not his usual Gigio.”
Leggo rated him 5/10: “Not one of his best performances. He’s especially clumsy when coming out.”
Virgil Sport also gave him a 5/10, adding: “immediately makes a mistake with his feet that proves Luis Enrique right and worries Guardiola.”
TMW generously gave Donnarumma a 5.5/10, noting, “He takes a while to get used to the game and takes a few risks early on.”
Senne Lammens has chance to outshine Gianluigi Donnarumma
Manchester United command more attention than any club in the UK, and there has been more discussion on radio and television about the move for Senne Lammens, than City’s transfer for Champions League winner Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Pep Guardiola faces a decision whether to start Donnarumma or Trafford, just as Ruben Amorim must pick between Lammens and Bayindir.
There will be pressure and spotlight on whoever starts, and if it is Donnarumma, Manchester United have a chance to expose his weaknesses.
The Italian is a great shot-stopper, but his mistake at the corner against Israel was a real mess, and one Manchester United have suffered from already this season. It could be one they can exploit.
One way or another, the derby narrative will be spun by the goalkeepers. And it could be Donnarumma and Guardiola who face the most questions at full-time.