Manchester United are still looking to get some business over the line before this month’s transfer deadline but Rio Ferdinand is urging his old club to approach one potential target with caution.
Rio Ferdinand has warned Erik ten Hag against pursuing a Ԁєɑł forEvertonmidfielder Amadou Onana as he fears a transfer could backfire.
Ten Hag is keen to sign another midfielder before the transfer window closes on September 1, with Fiorentina’s Sofyan Amrabat currently the prime candidate likely to arrive at Old Trafford. United had new signingMason Mountmake his debutagainst Wolves for their Premier League opener on Monday night, though their midfield came in for criticism after the match.
Gary Neville commented on United’s display, claiming Casemiro had been “torn to shreds” in the middle of the park,and suggested Amrabat’s signingwould eradicate a repeat of the problem going forward. Toffees star Onana is another player who United’s recruitment team have identified as a potential target, though Ferdinand has urged his old club against a move.
He told hisVibe with Fivepodcast: “McTominay upgrade? What is he, tell me what he is? Onana is not a holder, he’s not a destroyer. Every single attribute listed, that’s not Ten Hag to me. Ten Hag’s about playing thɾօυɢҺ the lines, playing off angles.
“I think he has really good attributes but I don’t think for Man Utd. It’s like Fellaini, it’s like buying Fellaini again forManchester United.”
United swooped to sign Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini from Everton back in 2013 at the start of David Moyes’ ill-fated era and he quickly became a scapegoat for many of United’s problems, somewhat unfairly.
Few needed any help identifying United’s problems in their 1-0 win overWolveson Monday night, as the Reds Devils found themselves fortunate to escape with all three points. Raphael Varane’s late goal sealed a crucial win, but it was not enough to mask the gaping holes in United’s midfield.
Offering his thoughts on what United needed, Neville said on Sky Sports: “One thing he [Ten Hag]’s not going to do is go back to theFredandMcTominaystyle of midfield because they can’t play the ball properly. He wants everybody on that pitch to be able to play the ball his way.
