Rio Ferdinand has blasted Manchester United chiefs for their treatment of David de Gea as the Red Devils prepare to move for Inter Milan's Andre Onana.
Onana has emerged as United's top target to replace De Gea, who has reached the end of his contract at Old Trafford. The Spaniard had been set to sign an extension on reduced terms, but United pulled that deal before reducing their offer on wages again.
De Gea is yet to sign that latest deal, is understood to be unhappy and appears to be on his way out of the club. Boss Erik ten Hag is instead keen to bring in a goalkeeper who is better suited to his tactics, with Onana the leading candidate after helping Inter Milan win the Coppa Italia and having spent five years under Ten Hag at the pair's former club, Ajax.
According to reports in Italy, Inter are now expecting a 'decisive' offer from the Red Devils, with the Serie A side seeking a fee of at least £43million. United have been speaking to Onana's representatives about a move.
But the situation has infuriated United legend Ferdinand, who believes De Gea's exit has been poorly handed by club chiefs. He praised the Spaniard for his conduct during his time as a United player, though admitted his career at Old Trafford looks to be over.
“Let's put aside whether you think David de Gea is good enough or not, that’s up for debate. He’s been an unreal servant to this football club," Ferdinand told Vibe with Five.
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“Twelve years he’s been at this club, similar to what I was at this club. Player of the Year, four or five times in that time. Been phenomenal at times, the best player at the club in a few of those years.
"Had periods where it didn't go well, lost form, lost confidence. But in the main has served the club well. Never brought the club into disrepute. Erik ten Hag at the end of the day has a type of goalkeeper he wants and if David de Gea isn't that goalkeeper, he has to hold his hands up."
Ferdinand admitted he has been left "gutted" by the way the situation has played out. And he called on United chiefs to learn from their mistakes after a "sour taste" was left in the mouth of departing players such as De Gea.
“I’m just a little bit gutted to be honest with the way, the club have handled the David de Gea situation. Again, it comes down to communication. When you've got big players leaving, Man United need to learn from this," he added.
"No one has the divine right to leave a club on their terms, but you want your players to leave with a nice taste in their mouth. But a sour taste sometimes I'm seeing and it ain't right. There's a lot of stuff at the way David de Gea's leaving and the way he's been left hanging.
"I don't think it's fair on the player. I think you owe it to a player who’s been there that long to make sure that they love at half-decent terms at least. Just be honest, open, cards on the table. It's disappointing."
