Rio Ferdinand admitted that one Manchester United star is “fantastic with a football,” despite raising concerns about what he saw from the Manchester City defeat.
Manchester United returned to action on Saturday for the Community Shield at Wembley ahead of the 2024-25 Premier League season.
The Red Devils punched their return to Wembley on the weekend after they defeated Manchester City 2-1 in the FA Cup final in May.
Erik ten Hag’s men took control of the Community Shield clash after Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench and broke the deadlock late in the second half.
However, City climbed back into the contest after Bernardo Silva cancelled out Alejandro Garnacho’s opener and forced the Community Shield tie to penalties.
United fell short of capturing the Community Shield after City clinched a 7-6 win on penalties, with Jadon Sancho and Jonny Evans missing for the Red Devils.
Erik ten Hag’s side will now begin their Premier League campaign on Friday when they welcome Fulham to Old Trafford.
Ferdinand on Man Utd star vs Man City
Rio Ferdinand singled out Andre Onana after the Manchester United No 1’s performance against Manchester City in the Community Shield defeat.
Andre Onana arrived at Old Trafford last summer from Inter Milan and weathered a tough first season at United after succeeding David de Gea between the sticks.
The 28-year-old Cameroon shot-stopper played under Erik ten Hag at Ajax and has been widely praised for his ability on the ball and for playing out from the back.
Onana produced a relatively solid performance against City, including denying Bernardo Silva from the spot-kick in the shootout at Wembley.
Ferdinand waxed lyrical about the former Ajax and Inter Milan star’s “confidence” and how he is “supremely confident” when he is on the ball.
However, the United legend admitted that some of the “biggest problems” against City came when players weren’t “comfortable taking the ball” from Onana.
“I don’t want him to be putting players in positions where they are not as comfortable as he is,” Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel.
“He is supremely confident on the ball, fantastic with a football, he looks like he could play outfield the way he plays, the confidence that he has, but sometimes you can be as confident as you want, but you have got to read the other players around you at times.
“Does he really want it there? We want him to, but if I give it to him, he has got huge pressure.
“A couple of times today our biggest problems came in those moments when people didn’t look like they were comfortable taking the ball with their back to play or under a bit of pressure.”
Onana already sent clear warning
Ahead of the Community Shield clash, Andre Onana had made his feelings clear that United fans should expect him to “take a lot of risks” in the new season.
Speaking to The Times, he said: “That is me [being creative in goal]. And I think it’s what you’re going to see this season because I will take a lot of risks.
“I can tell you in advance already — be prepared, because it’s going to be [that way] this season, trust me.
“The best team in the world takes risks. Building from the back, recognising things, situations, when the opponent jumps one against one, or when they press with three or with four, recognising we dominate the pressing if it’s a No 9 or the 11.
“So, for me, it’s important to recognise those kinds of things and make the best decision for the team.
“I will take a lot of responsibility and I think my back is huge to carry it all, no? I think it’s gonna be nice this season.”
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
