has revealed the ‘only way’ David de Gea will stay at Old Trafford and criticised for their handling of the goalkeeper.
The Spaniard, who has been at United since 2011, will become a free agent on Saturday as his contract with the club expires.
De Gea has been in talks with Manchester United over a new deal for several months, with keen for the 32-year-old to stay for at least one more season.
In a revelation that does not reflect well on the Premier League giants, De Gea reportedly signed a new deal – agreeing to take a significant pay-cut to extend his spell in Manchester – .
Ferdinand says he is ‘gutted’ by how the situation involving his former team-mate has played out and hopes it is ‘sorted’ one way or another soon.
The Manchester United legend also says the ‘only way’ De Gea will still be at Old Trafford next season is if the club fail in their .
Speaking on the , Ferdinand said: ‘It’s a funny situation. Whether you think David de Gea is good enough for Manchester United anymore is up for debate.
‘But he’s been an unreal servant to this football club. He’s been there for 12 years and been Player for the Year multiple times. In the main he’s served the club remarkably well, he’s an outstanding professional.
‘There’s a lot of people calling for him to leave and that’s understandable and fair. I’m just a little bit gutted with how the club have handled this.
‘It comes down to communication. I’m seeing more and more players leave with a sour taste and it’s not right. I don’t think it’s fair on the player.
‘David must be sitting there and thinking, “I never dreamed that I would leave the club in this way, in this manner.” I look at it now and how does David de Gea stay?
‘The only way he stays is if United can’t get Onana or whichever goalkeeper they go for. It would be difficult for him though because he’ll be looking at the club in a different light.
‘It was love before, maybe it’s business now. It’s disappointing and I hope it gets sorted out, for David and the club’s sake.’
De Gea has been a mainstay in Manchester United’s team for more than a decade, making 545 appearances for the Red Devils and winning four Player of the Year awards.
However, if some of the mistakes he made last season are anything to go by, the 32-year-old appears to be past his best and is not a natural ball-playing goalkeeper, something important in the football Ten Hag wants to play.
In Ten Hag’s first season at Old Trafford, Manchester United finished third in the Premier League and lifted their first trophy since 2017.
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