Manchester United legend Paul Scholes is convinced his former side should have made a move to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma before Manchester City swooped for the goalkeeper.
Having been told he was no longer needed at Paris Saint-Germain, Donnarumma completed his move to City before Monday’s transfer deadline day after Ederson was sold to Fenerbahce.
The Italy international joined the Premier League giants for a relatively modest fee of £26million, signing a five-year deal at the Etihad with the option of a further year.
United meanwhile also found themselves in the market for a new goalkeeper on deadline day with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir enduring disastrous starts to the new season.
The club held talks with Emiliano Martinez, even agreeing terms with the Aston Villa goalkeeper before eventually settling on Senne Lammens, signing the 23-year-old from Belgian side Royal Antwerp.
Your ultimate guide to the football season
Metro’s football newsletter: In The Mixer. Exclusive analysis, FPL tips and transfer talk sent straight to your inbox every Friday – sign up, it’s an open goal.
While Donnarumma is one of the world’s best shot stoppers and dominant in one-on-one situations, his ability on the ball has often been questioned, something perhaps at odds with the demands Guardiola has previously placed on his goalkeepers.
United legend Scholes described the move as ‘strange’, also insisting Donnarumma would have been his first choice target in goal for United.
Scholes told The Overlap: ‘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.’
Donnarumma will wear the no25 shirt at the Etihad after he was unveiled by the club on Tuesday.
‘To have signed for Manchester City is such a special and proud moment for me,’ he said.
‘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.’