Rio Ferdinand warns goalkeeping mistakes won’t end with David de Gea’s departure
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Manchester United's David de Gea looking dejected after Manchester City's Ilkay Gundogan scores their second goal during the FA Cup final in June.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand warned “there will be mistakes” from the club’s likely new goalkeeper Andre Onana, after the Red Devils’ long-time custodian David de Gea announced his departure following 12 seasons at the English Premier League side on Saturday.
The Spaniard, who joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 when Alex Ferguson was manager, was the squad’s longest-serving player, having made nearly 550 appearances.
De Gea’s contract had expired on June 30, but at the time the club said they were still in discussions with the 32-year-old shot-stopper over an extension.
British media had reported that his departure comes after United changed the terms of the initial contract extension they offered him.
The Spaniard last season overtook Peter Schmeichel to record the most clean sheets in the club’s history and was crowned players’ and fans’ Player of the Year four times.
But a string of high-profile errors towards the end of the campaign drew criticism and the former international struggled to adapt to manager Erik ten Hag’s preferred style of playing out from the back.
United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Onana.
Former England defender Ferdinand said of the Cameroonian custodian on his YouTube channel: “He’ll give United more confidence and more ability to play out from the back and I think he suits Erik ten Hag’s team.
“He’s a real modern-day goalkeeper. You see teams pressing him and he doesn’t even panic.
“He gets the ball in, brings on the press, says ‘come on, come to me’ and when that player comes to him, he knows there’s a player free somewhere else and he normally finds him.
“I think there will be mistakes and playing that risky way you do have mistakes and that happens, but it’s about staying true to your beliefs, finding the right balance and remaining calm throughout those periods.”
Onana will have big gloves to fill.
United have been linked with a move for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
PHOTO: AFP
De Gea won the Premier League in his second season with the club – Ferguson’s last as manager – while he also won the League Cup, FA Cup and Europa League.
He won the EPL Golden Glove for most clean sheets in a season twice, the second coming in the 2022-23 campaign. He made 545 appearances and kept 190 clean sheets.
“It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together,” de Gea said.
“Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings. Manchester will always be in my heart. Manchester have shaped me and will never leave me.”
Bruno Fernandes, who is set to be United’s new captain according to multiple reports on Sunday, suggested de Gea deserved a better send-off. He posted on social media: “You deserved to say goodbye at the stadium with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories.” REUTERS, AFP
