has backed ’s decision to bring in to replace David de Gea in goal for , believing the new arrival will further help deliver the manager’s vision.
and flew out to New York to join up with his new teammates on Thursday.
The 27-year-old has shown over the years to be extremely comfortable with the ball at his feet and building from the back, something ten Hag has been eager to instil in his side since his arrival last summer.
United struggled in that regard last season but with ten Hag making another significant upgrade at the back, club legend Ferdinand insists the team now takes a major step forward in playing the way the manager wants them to.
‘I think it is a fantastic signing,’ Ferdinand told
‘I have watched this goalkeeper a lot live. At Ajax, at Inter last year. There is no higher praise than when you ask a manager what the threat is, what the danger is in the opposition and he names a goalkeeper.
‘That is what Pep Guardiola did before Champions League final, he named him as a threat. That tells you enough. That’s is a modern day goalkeeper becoming an extra man outfield.
‘Onana is absolutely part of the team, they end up having an extra defender with the ball. And he is a great outlet.’
Ferdinand continued: ‘Ten Hag wants to control every phase of the game, he tried it when he first came, with de Gea, with Maguire, to try to play through the press and through the pressure from the goalkeeper and Brentford [where United lost 4-0] is a great example, they got caught with the ball and punished. Then he went away from that.
‘Now he feels it is the right time to do that. It highlights the “this is my team, this is my ship”, attitude from the manager.’
Ferdinand went onto explain that while occasional mistakes can be expected from a goalkeeper like Onana, he will always have the full backing of his manager.
‘You are going to make mistakes because you are giving people opportunities to force mistakes. So yes, there will be some mistakes made but it will be from doing absolutely what Erik ten Hag wants him to do which is invite pressure.
‘Because once the press comes, there is going to be a free body somewhere and he has the range to create big conundrums for the opposition.’
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