Erling Haaland might have grabbed the headlines together with his brace in Manchester Metropolis’s 3-0 derby win over Manchester United, however the Norwegian striker was fast handy the plaudits to new teammate Gianluigi Donnarumma after the Italian’s commanding debut.
Metropolis paid an preliminary £26 million to carry Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain late within the switch window, simply months after re-signing James Trafford from Burnley for the same charge. The Italian arrived with a wealth of expertise, having already gained Euro 2020 with Italy and loved 4 years in Paris, however his choice to swap Ligue 1 for the Premier League is already paying off.
Haaland, who obtained the Premier League’s official Participant of the Match award on Sunday, insisted it ought to have gone to the goalkeeper as an alternative, as he was quoted by Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano by way of his official X account.
He Posted:
Don’t neglect about Donnarumma! He’s been implausible immediately. I’d give him my Man of the Match award! He was unbelievable
Metropolis have been hardly ever troubled as Phil Foden’s opener set the tone earlier than Haaland struck twice within the second half, however United may have clawed their method again when Bryan Mbeumo broke by. Donnarumma reacted brilliantly, spreading himself large to disclaim the ahead and preserve the scoreline snug. It was the standout second of the 26-year-old’s first look in English soccer, one which earned fast reward from each teammates and supervisor.
Pep Guardiola, who handed the Italian a shock begin in such a high-profile fixture, backed Haaland’s view, claiming the Italian goalie was actually good, notably highlighting his massive save in opposition to Mbuemo that drew nice surprises and uncontrolled feelings from his gamers.
For Haaland, the derby win bolstered Metropolis’s dominance, however his phrases ensured Donnarumma’s debut heroics didn’t go unnoticed.
