Paul Scholes believes Manchester United made one of their biggest mistakes ever recently, which has been made worse due to it benefitting Manchester City.
The two teams competed against each other on Sunday in the first Manchester derby of the season, a contest in which Erling Haaland stole the show with his brace, helping Pep Guardiola’s men to a 3-0 win over their rivals.
Several other stars stepped up for Man City, with Phil Foden scoring the opening goal of the game, Jeremy Doku caused United’s defence havoc, while Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off a huge save in the second half at the Etihad Stadium.
There were a lot of eyes on the Italian ahead of the match, and Paul Scholes believes not signing the goalkeeper is a big mistake Man United made over the summer transfer window.
Manchester City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Etihad Stadium.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
Paul Scholes thinks Man United made a mistake with Gianluigi Donnarumma
Man United showed interest in Donnarumma during the summer; however, the Red Devils never made a move for the Italian goalkeeper as they could not match the wage demands of the 26-year-old.
David Raya thinks Man City have signed one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Donnarumma, and Scholes has now admitted that Man United missing out on the former PSG star is one of the biggest mistakes the Manchester club has made in recent times.
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“This Donnarumma one is the biggest mistake I can see,” Scholes said on The Good, The Bad & The Football.
“As soon as that man became available, go and get him, drive to Paris, go and get him. Give him whatever he wants; he could easily be the best goalkeeper in the world for the next 10 years.”
At just £26m, Donnarumma may prove to be a bargain signing for Man City over the coming years, and having paid silly wages to players in the past, it was a surprise that United did not do the same for the Italian, given their need for a goalkeeper.
How Gianluigi Donnarumma compares to Senne Lammens
Instead of Donnarumma, Man United moved for Senne Lammens, which was a surprise to many given that the 23-year-old is not an established goalkeeper.
The Belgian star impressed last season with Royal Antwerp, but that is not a clear indication that the goalkeeper will be a success at Man United, with his role at Old Trafford being one of the most scrutinised in the Premier League.
Player Games Goals Conceded Clean Sheet Minutes
Gianluigi Donnarumma 47 43 17 4192
Senne Lammens 44 56 10 3960
Gianluigi Donnarumma and Senne Lammens’ 24/25 stats
Donnarumma would have been a much safer bet for United, and not going all in for the Italy international may come back to haunt them this season.
The 26-year-old’s save from Bryan Mbeumo on Sunday was the first sign of this, as Man City are now set to benefit from the Manchester club’s decision.