Donnarumma punches ball into own net in horror blunder but is saved by ref

GIANLUIGI DONNARUMMA was spared his blushes by the referee following an awful clanger while playing for Italy tonight.

The Manchester City new boy, 26, is in line to make his debut against rivals United this Sunday.

6 Gianluigi Donnarumma made an early gaffe against Israel

6 The Italian punched the ball into his own net Credit: Reuters

6 Donnarumma, 26, was spared his blushes by the referee Credit: Reuters

The 6ft 5in stopper will be hoping to shake off his blunder from tonight, having nearly gifted Israel a shocking opener in a topsy-turvy 5-4 win.

Barely five minutes into tonight's contest Manor Solomon , who recently joined Villarreal on loan from Tottenham , swung in a corner.

The situation seemed harmless enough, with the ball looking likely to sail into Donnarumma's grasp.

Inexplicably, however, the former Paris Saint-Germain star punched the ball into his own net.

Donnarumma was bailed out by the referee, however, who deemed Israel defender Stav Lemkin to have fouled him, despite contact appearing to be minimal.

Seeing the incident on social media, one fan branded City's new boy: "the new Onana of the EPL".

While a second claimed: "In these situations here in the Premier League, they'll eat Donnarumma alive."

A third claimed: "Donarumma doing what Donnarumma does."

6 Donnarumma waved goodbye to Paris Saint-Germain last month Credit: Getty

And another added: "Donnarumma in the premier league will make hatewatching man city 10x funnier."

Following their let off, Italy did go behind via Manuel Locatelli 's own goal on 16 minutes.

Gennaro Gattuso's side levelled through Moise Kean just before half-time, only for Dor Peretz to reclaim Israel's lead seven minutes after the break.

Italy subsequently turned the game on its head in the following six minutes, courtesy of a second for Kean and a Matteo Politano strike before Giacomo Raspadori made it 4-2 in the 81st minute.

But Israel hit back with another own goal - this time from Alessandro Bastoni - in the 87th minute before Peretz made it 4-4 two minutes later.

However Newcastle star Sandro Tonali won it in the first minute of injury time to put the Azzurri second in group I, behind Norway.

City signed Donnarumma in a £26million deal on transfer deadline day.

The giant keeper is set to replace James Trafford as No1, following the ex-Burnley ace's difficult start to the campaign.

After Donnarumma's arrival, City allowed long-term stalwart Ederson to depart for Fenerbahce .

The Etihad new boy is set to make his debut against Man Utd this weekend.

Ruben Amorim 's side could also have a new man between the sticks, following Senne Lammens' £18.2m arrival from Royal Antwerp.

Andre Onana is set to join Turkish side Trabzonspor on loan , although Altay Bayindir could potentially keep his place ahead of Lammens this weekend.

6 Man Utd signed Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp on deadline day Credit: Getty

6 Onana is departing the club on loan but Bayindir could be set to keep his place for the derby Credit: Reuters