Manchester United legend, Paul Scholes, recently expressed his regret over the club's missed opportunity to sign Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The former midfielder believes that the Red Devils should have made a move for the 'unbelievable' star before their city rivals swooped in.
Donnarumma found himself on the market after being told he was no longer needed at Paris Saint-Germain. He completed his move to Manchester City just before Monday’s transfer deadline day following Ederson's departure to Fenerbahce.
The Italy international joined Pep Guardiola's side for a relatively modest fee of £26 million. He signed a five-year deal at Etihad Stadium with an option for an additional year.
United’s Goalkeeper search
Meanwhile, Manchester United also found themselves in need of a new goalkeeper on deadline day due to Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir's disappointing starts to the season. The club held talks with Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa and even agreed terms with him before eventually settling on Senne Lammens from Belgian club Royal Antwerp.
Despite this, Scholes insists that Donnarumma would have been his first choice target for United given his reputation as one of the world’s best shot stoppers and dominance in one-on-one situations.
Paul Scholes, Manchester United legend, said:
‘I think that’s a really strange signing for Pep. I love the ‘keeper [Donnarumma], I think he’s brilliant and I’d have him at United tomorrow, today, whenever. For £40m [the previously reported price for Donnrumma] he’s unbelievable. But for Pep you’ve got to almost be able to play in central midfield as a goalkeeper.
‘I think that’s the reason [Luis] Enrique is getting rid of him at PSG, because he’s not great with his feet. I just don’t see him as a City goalkeeper. To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me. I am joining a squad packed with world-class talent and a team led by one of the greatest managers in the history of football in Pep Guardiola. This is a club every player in world football would love to join.
‘Playing at the Etihad Stadium will be very, very special for me. I am very excited for what lies ahead and can promise that I will give absolutely everything to try and help the club achieve even more success.’
Questioning Donnarumma’s ball skills
While there is no doubt about Donnaruma's goalkeeping prowess, questions have been raised about his ability on the ball - something that may not align well with Guardiola’s demands from his goalkeepers. Despite this potential mismatch, Scholes described Man City's acquisition as ‘strange’, implying that it was more of a loss for Man Utd than it might be seen as an advantage for Man City.
In the high-stakes world of football transfers, opportunities come and go quickly. In this case, Manchester United's missed chance to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma is seen as a significant loss by club legend Paul Scholes. As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Donnarumma fits into Guardiola's system at Man City and whether United's decision not to pursue him will indeed be a regrettable one.
