Donnarumma handed Manchester City debut as derby looms; Guardiola under early-season pressure
Italian goalkeeper starts at the Etihad as City sit 13th after three games; United make two midfield changes
Gianluigi Donnarumma will make his first start for Manchester City in Saturday’s Premier League Manchester derby at the Etihad Stadium, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed, as City seek to arrest a poor start to the season.
Guardiola named Donnarumma ahead of James Trafford, while Jeremy Doku was selected in attack ahead of Loïs Openda Marmoush. Manchester United made two changes in midfield, with Mazroui and Ugarte replacing Diogo Dalot and Casemiro, and Benjamin Sesko was named to lead the line in place of Matheus Cunha.
Speaking before the match, Guardiola framed the decision to start Donnarumma as one tailored to the Italian’s strengths. "I always try to adapt to the quality of the players. I wouldn’t demand ‘Gigi’ do something he is uncomfortable with," Guardiola said. "We are talking about the best (goalkeeper) I have ever seen with distribution, short and long passes, in Ederson. We didn’t take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality. The market gave us a chance to take Gigi, who is 26 years old with incredible experience with a big club and a national team in Italy. He is so tall, he is so huge. All the keepers save shots, bring personality to the team and be a big presence, and he has done that in the biggest games."
The selection comes as City find themselves well below expectations after three Premier League matches. City are 13th in the table following successive league defeats to Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion. It is the first time since the 2004–05 season that the club have lost two of their first three league fixtures, and it represents Guardiola’s worst start to a league campaign since he took charge at Manchester City. Reports noted that the last time City lost three of their first four league games, the club were relegated in 1995–96.
United’s selection indicates manager Erik ten Hag has opted for changes in the centre of the pitch. Mazroui and Ugarte were given the nod to reinforce midfield control, while Sesko was preferred as the central striker. The United team news was confirmed shortly before kickoff as both sides finalised their lineups.
Daily Mail Sport’s live coverage described the fixture as the first Manchester derby of the season and flagged high expectations for an intense contest, with both teams having started the campaign below their usual standards. Reporters at the Etihad said supporters and players alike will be eager for the result to provide momentum and settle early-season nerves.
City will look to Donnarumma’s presence and experience as one element of a response to their recent results, while United will test a reshuffled midfield and forward line to try to exploit any vulnerabilities. Managers’ tactical adjustments and individual performances are likely to determine the outcome in what is typically a tightly contested fixture.
Kickoff was confirmed for the scheduled time, and live updates from the match were being provided by reporters from both clubs’ home cities. The selection decisions, Guardiola’s comments and City’s early-season position set the narrative for what both sides hope will be a decisive derby at the Etihad.