Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand has pulled no punches in his assessment of Andre Onana’s imminent departure.
Onana set to leave United
Onana’s future was the subject of speculation during the summer transfer window, despite United’s insistence that they were not actively looking to offload him.
However, once the season started, it became apparent that Onana had lost his place in the starting XI to Altay Bayindir, who was named in goal for all three of the club’s Premier League fixtures.
Onana was given a chance to reclaim his spot when he started against Grimsby Town but he failed spectacularly, making mistakes for both goals that the League Two side netted in the first half, while also saving just one of the 13 penalties that were taken in the penalty shootout as United came crashing out of the EFL Cup.
The Cameroonian’s fate was all but sealed after United completed a deadline-day swoop for Senne Lammens.
Turkish side Trabzonspor tabled an offer for Onana, which United accepted. The Red Devils left it up to Onana to make the final decision on his future and after some deliberation, he accepted the terms that were put on the table.
A report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Onana stands to earn far more at Trabzonspor than he did at United, thanks to a hefty signing bonus and performance-related incentives.
The shot-stopper is expected to travel to Turkey on Thursday to officially seal the switch.
Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Ferdinand expressed his satisfaction with the ruthless manner in which United moved Onana out of the club.
Ferdinand’s take on Onana’s exit
Ferdinand said, “I think [Omar [Berrada], who is running the football operations at the club, I think he’s made the point that they’re not going to have players sitting around that are not worthy of being at the football club anymore.”
“They’re not going to have players that either aren’t good enough, haven’t performed well enough or are not the right people to be at the football club. He’s not going to have them around like bad smells. I think, for far too long, we’ve had at that at the football club.”
“We’ve been forced to keep players because of bad financial situations that the club have put us in with players and we’ve had to keep them here, sit with them and had to suffer some of these players.”
Ferdinand continued, “I think this is a step in the right direction. As happy as I am with the players that are coming in and providing a difference in terms of speed, dynamism, pace and goal threat, I’m as pleased, if not more, with the way they’ve got players out that the club deemed weren’t right to be there.”
“That side of it has been as important, if not more, than the incoming players because I think it sends out a fantastic message and a strong message to the players that are there: you ain’t hanging about here if you ain’t what we want.”
“That’s what it should be like at every club. If you’re not right for the football club, you’ve got to get out. That’s why I’m so strong on it when a player wants to go, he should be able to force and go… I think it should work both ways.”
United are back in action on Sunday when they face cross-town rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
Featured image Clive Rose via Getty Images
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Derick Kinoti
Derick Kinoti is a football writer at The Peoples Person who has covered Manchester United and the game extensively for many years. He is a keen analyst with expertise in SEO and journalism standards. Derick is convinced Wayne Rooney is the true GOAT and won’t hear otherwise!
