Rio Ferdinand slams Manchester United’s treatment of David de Gea

Rio Ferdinand is disappointed with Manchester United’s treatment of David de Gea, claiming that ‘more and more players’ are leaving the club with a ‘sour taste’ in their mouths.

The 32-year-old’s future at Old Trafford looks more uncertain than ever as his contract expires on Friday after 12 years with the Premier League giants.

The Red Devils could still re-sign De Gea after his contract expires, but Ferdinand claims it’s unlikely given the way the United hierarchy has treated the veteran goalkeeper.

Ferdinand says the ‘only way’ De Gea will play for Man United next season is if the club fail to sign Andre Onana or another goalkeeper during the summer transfer window.

Speak on the FIVE YouTube channel, Ferdinand said: ‘It’s a funny situation. Whether you think David de Gea is still good enough for Manchester United is up for debate.

His future at United looks more uncertain than ever as his contract expires on Friday

“But he has been an unreal servant of this football club. He has been with this club for 12 years, similar to what I was with this club. Player of the year four or five times in that time has been phenomenal.

Sometimes he was the best player in the club. And in a few of those years, I had moments when things weren’t going well. Lost some shape at times. Maybe lost confidence, but overall he has served the club remarkably well. He is an excellent professional.

“He has never caused the club an ounce of trouble. Never discredited the club. He is an excellent professional and a great character. He’s one of the guys.

“There are a lot of people calling for him to leave. They want to get a new keeper and develop that position further. That is all understandable and fair. Everyone is entitled to an opinion.

“Erik ten Hag has a certain type of goalkeeper at the end of the day that he wants and if David de Gea isn’t that goalkeeper then David De Gea needs to hold his hands up and say you know what, I’ve had a great run here , I love it here but if the manager doesn’t want me I have to go or I’ll be number 2.

“I’m a bit gutted at how the club has handled this. It comes down to communication. I think Manchester United should learn from this. They have made mistakes before with great players who left the club in the past.

Big players have left the club feeling that they have not been treated well. No one has the divine right to leave a club on their own terms, but you want your players – especially those who have been there for a long time and have served the club well – to leave with a good taste in their mouths.

“They will be disappointed to leave the club because no one wants to leave the club they have come to love, but I see more and more players leaving with a sour taste and that is not good. I don’t think it’s fair to the player.

Despite the fact that De Gea won the Golden Glove, Erik Ten Hag is looking for another keeper

“It’s all about communication. A little appreciation. A little understanding. Think you know what, we should probably do this a little bit better.

You owe it to a player who has been there for so long to make sure he leaves the club on at least half decent terms.

“David must be sitting there and thinking, ‘I never dreamed I’d leave the club like this.’ I look at it now and how does David de Gea stay?

“The only way he will stay is if United can’t catch Onana or any goalkeeper. However, it would be difficult for him as he will look at the club in a different light.

“It used to be love, maybe now it’s business. It’s disappointing and I hope it will be resolved in the best interest of David and the club.’

Ferdinand’s comments come shortly after it was revealed that United had made a U-turn regarding De Gea’s contract with the club.

Mail Sport revealed earlier this month that the framework for a new contract aimed at cutting De Gea’s £375,000 a week wages had been agreed between the player and the club.

However, reports emerged on Tuesday claiming De Gea signed the new contract before United pulled out and then made an even lower bid for the veteran goalkeeper.

The change in terms is said to be due to Ten Hag’s reservations about De Gea’s ability with the ball at his feet after seeing the 32-year-old make some high-profile mistakes in the 2022-23 season.

The Dutch manager has reservations about De Gea’s ability with the ball at his feet

United have held exploratory talks with Inter Milan over a possible transfer of Andre Onana

Therefore, it is likely that De Gea – who still managed to win the Golden Glove award last season – will leave United after 12 years and look for a new club amid lucrative offers from the Saudi Pro League .

Meanwhile, the Red Devils continue to pursue Inter Milan’s Onana as a replacement for De Gea.

Club figures met with Onana’s agent, Albert Botines, last week for talks over a possible move, although the final decision hinges on De Gea’s future.

Onana, who started for Inter during their Champions League final defeat to Manchester City in Istanbul, played for Ten Hag during his spell at Ajax.

Players such as Porto stopper Diogo Costa, Brentford player David Raya and Anderlecht player Bart Verbruggen were also assessed by United.