The Inter goalkeeper could very well become the successor to the late Man United stopper
Rio Ferdinand believes Andre Onana is the man to replace David de Gea at Manchester United, as the former defender believes an obstacle to the deal could be Inter’s valuation.
De Gea left United after his contract at Old Trafford expired in late June. The Spaniard could still agree new terms with the Reds as talks continue over his future, but he is free to move on to new pastures.
United are looking for a new goalkeeper this summer, whether De Gea stays at Old Trafford or not. Onana is a candidate to become the club’s next number one. Ferdinand has designated Onana as the man he feels should fill the gloves left over from De Gea’s departure.
The former United captain spoke highly of the Inter Milan defender and his defending abilities, describing a conversation he had with the Manchester City manager about the goalkeeper ahead of the Champions League climax.
Ferdinand also spoke to former United team-mate Edwin van der Sar about the goalkeeper’s time at Ajax and got “lyrical” about Onana. The former defender believes the only obstacle to the move will be finances from both clubs’ perspectives.
On his YouTube channel FIVE, Ferdinand said: “The coach wants a new goalkeeper. If at first glance the club said: ‘David, you’re done’, that’s fair enough. I don’t care, it’s okay, he has to look for a new club.
“Before, bigger and betpter players were told to leave Man United, that’s fine. I think David will pull through. That’s cool, but there’s a way to do it.”
“Now let’s move on to who will replace him: Onana 100%. I saw him live in the Champions League semi-finals and I saw the confidence in this boy.”
“I spoke to Pep Guardiola in an interview a few days before the semi-finals and he talked about potentially playing Onana. He said: “He’s the goalkeeper you have to deal with now, not a lot of goalkeepers to prepare.”
Normally when you turn your attention to the goalkeeper, we’ve done our job and that’s it, but this guy is like an outfield player.” “Confidence, he plays on the edge of his box and almost on the edge of the center circle and wants to be involved in the builder’s play. He’s a real footballer.”
“He’s a great keeper. He made some great saves in the final but this guy is a young keeper, I’ve seen him before at Ajax. Edwin van der Sar, I spoke to him about him several times before the match.
interest from Man United and it sprung from him. He knew that this is the prototype of a goalkeeper.
“I would be very happy if he comes, but my priority is number nine.
“I think they’re going for him, I think he’s going to be someone they’re trying to get, but the problem is Inter’s price and Man United don’t have an open checkbook.
It’s not like it used to be when there was no FFP. There is a figure that Manchester United have to spend unless they sell a large number of players to increase that budget.”
