English Media Reacts to Former PSG Star’s Performance In Man City-Man Utd

After leaving PSG late in the transfer window, Gianluigi Donnarumma was in the starting 11 for Manchester City in the derby against Manchester United. Nonetheless, the former Parisian shot-stopper made a good first impression.

Donnarumma moved to Manchester City for a reported €35 million (£30.3 million). The Premier League club decided to job on the opportunity to sign a UEFA Champions League winner in his prime years to replace Ederson.

Moreover, he recently expressed his love for manager Pep Guardiola for wanting him to join their project.

“Honestly, I was looking forward to joining Manchester City because they really wanted me, because Guardiola really wanted me,” Donnarumma said. “I can only be proud to have arrived at a club like City. I am very happy.”

Former PSG Star Gets Praise for Derby Performance

(Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)

On Sunday in the Manchester Derby, Donnarumma made two saves to deny Manchester United a scoring chance. Although it wasn’t a game with a lot of action for Donnarumma, the Italian did earn praise from the English media.

Here’s what ESPN’s Mark Ogden had to say after the context was over:

There are many differences between City and United, but Donnarumma is an example of one key difference. They acted decisively and signed a world-class keeper. United opted against Emi Martinez, signed "one for the future" and stuck him on the bench…

— Mark Ogden (@MarkOgden_) September 14, 2025

Meanwhile, here’s what football writer and broadcaster Henry Winter had to say about the Italian:

Always dangerous to write a Pep team off. He’s such an organiser and motivator, he’s so driven. And he has such quality to call upon from Donnarumma stopping goals to Haaland scoring goals. How many United players would get into City’s team? #MCFC

— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) September 14, 2025