What happened at Liverpool convinced Pep Guardiola to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma for Man City

Pep Guardiola pointed to Gianluigi Donnarumma’s big-game experience and Champions League performances when explaining what the goalkeeper can bring to Manchester City.The Italy international joined City from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the transfer window and could make his debut against Manchester United.

The 26-year-old helped PSG win last season’s Champions League via victories over Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa, and was Italy’s No.1 for their Euro 2020 triumph. United were also linked with the former AC Milan star, but he opted for an Etihad Stadium move and will compete with James Trafford to become Ederson’s long-term successor.

“Gigi’s a 26-year-old with incredible experience,” Guardiola told reporters ahead of Sunday’s Manchester Derby. “He’s so tall and so huge. All the keepers want to save balls and give confidence to the team and personality and he’s a big presence on the bigger stages.

“He did it in the UEFA Champions League last season at Villa Park and Anfield. In many games he proved how good he is. He will concede goals that’s for sure, but we’re all going to try to help him.

“Gigi has great experience with big clubs and Italy. We are looking forward to having him,” Guardiola added. The Catalan coach recognised he can only start one of his new goalkeepers, but said “everyone will be involved” in a long season.

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Sunday’s opponents United have also added a new goalkeeper to their ranks, with Senne Lammens joining for £18.2million from Royal Antwerp. He won’t start on Sunday, though, with head coach Ruben Amorim revealing Altay Bayindir is due to continue between the sticks despite his struggles in the early part of the season.

“ It is a different league, a different country, different training, different ball,” Amorim said. “So we will try to maintain that and they will fight for the position but for me in this game is clear, Altay will start.”

The match will be United’s first since the departure of Andre Onana, who has joined Trabzonspor on a season-long loan. Amorim insisted he still has a lot of time for the Cameroon international but said it was the right time for the 'keeper to get a change of scenery.

"I think we understood that this needed a change and sometimes it is hard to point out why,” Amorim said. Sometimes it is the moment, the bad luck in some moments. It is hard on him, on us.

"Our thinking is to have a change in the goalkeepers but I wish the best for Andre Onana. He was really good at working and trying to help the players, but sometimes you can have all the quality in the world but you need a change."

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