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The long-serving Spanish shot-stopper is now a free agent after his contract with the Red Devils expired at midnight on Friday, though United bosses have asked him to wait before signing with another club.
De Gea could still be offered a new deal if finding a replacement proves too costly, but ideally manager Erik ten Hag wants to bring in a new keeper with better passing ability.
That has seen United begin talks to sign Onana – who played under Ten Hag at Ajax – and Ferdinand says a first official bid is imminent.
Asked what he’s heard from his sources at United, Ferdinand told his FIVE YouTube show: ‘Bids are going in, bruv. I think they’ll go for it.
‘I think they’re gonna go for it, he’s someone they want to try and get. But the problem is Inter’s pricing. Manchester United haven’t got an open cheque book and the takeover won’t affect that in this window.’
Ferdinand respects Ten Hag’s decision to find a new goalkeeper – though the manner in which former team-mate De Gea has been treated rankles – and he believes Onana is the perfect replacement.
He continued: ‘The manager wants a new goalkeeper. If the club, which it looks like, have said, “David you’re done” that’s fair enough. I don’t care about that, that’s fine, he’ll have to go and find a new club.
‘Bigger and better players, back in the day, have been told to leave Man United, it’s fine. I think David will be okay. But there’s a way in which you do it.
‘Now if we move onto who’s going to replace him: Onana 100 per cent. I went to watch him live in the Champions League semi-final, the confidence this boy has got!
‘I spoke to Pep Guardiola in an interview days before the final and he was talking about playing against Onana, there’s not many goalkeepers you’ve got to prepare for!
‘He’s almost like another player. He comes out, plays on the edge of his box, and he wants to be involved in the build-up, he’s a proper footballer. And he’s a great shot-stopper, he made a couple of great saves in the final.
‘He’s a young keeper, I saw him at Ajax before. Edwin van der Sar I spoke to numerous times about him, before Man United’s interest, and he waxed lyrical about him: New-age, a prototype-type goalkeeper. Proper. I’d be delighted if he comes, but my priority is a number nine.’
MORE : Rio Ferdinand reveals the ‘big issue’ holding up Manchester United sale
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