City, United unveil new goalkeepers ahead of crucial derby

As the Premier League returns, all eyes will be on Manchester’s goalkeepers rather than just the forwards. Manchester City and Manchester United, despite spending big on attacking stars, have addressed urgent problems between the posts ahead of Sunday’s high-stakes derby.

City signed Italy’s Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain to replace Ederson. Donnarumma, fresh off a Champions League-winning season with PSG, is not the type of goalkeeper Pep Guardiola usually prefers, who often plays as an “extra defender.” But Donnarumma is eager to adapt. “I always try to help the team and do what the coach asks of me. I do everything,” he said.

United, meanwhile, have brought in Belgian international Senne Lammens after dropping former No. 1 Andre Onana. Backup Altay Bayindir failed to impress in the early games, and Lammens, mostly unknown outside Belgium, offers a fresh option.

The derby at Etihad Stadium is already crucial. City, whose four-year title streak ended last season, has started poorly with just one win in three games. Back-to-back defeats to Tottenham and Brighton have raised questions about Guardiola’s squad. United also needed a strong performance after injuries sidelined new signing Matheus Cunha.

Across the league, other key players could make their first appearances since the transfer deadline. Alexander Isak at Liverpool, Jadon Sancho and Harvey Elliott at Aston Villa, and Tottenham’s new signings Randal Kolo Muani and Xavi Simons may all feature.

Injuries are piling up: City’s Omar Marmoush and Rayan Cherki, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, William Saliba, and Kai Havertz, and United’s Cunha are all sidelined.

Off the pitch, Tottenham enters a new era after chairman Daniel Levy stepped down, while Nottingham Forest reacts to the firing of manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Fans and clubs alike are bracing for changes as the Premier League season gathers pace.