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Rio Ferdinand Claims Andre Onana's Exit Sends a 'Fantastic Message' To Manchester United Players

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Sep 12, 2025 2:05 AM ET

Manchester United’s summer was never going to be quiet. After another disappointing campaign, Ruben Amorim and the club’s hierarchy knew changes were overdue — and they didn’t hold back. Big names like Andre Onana, Marcus Rashford, and Antony were all shown the door as United tried to reset and reshape the squad. It’s the kind of bold shake-up that instantly divides opinion, but one man firmly in support is club legend Rio Ferdinand.

For Ferdinand, Onana’s exit in particular represents more than just a transfer — he believes it sends a powerful signal to the rest of the dressing room about standards and accountability. In his eyes, it’s a reminder that nobody’s place at Old Trafford is guaranteed and that performances, not reputations, will decide who sticks around. And for a club that’s struggled to rediscover its winning mentality since the Ferguson era, that’s a message he’s more than happy to see delivered.

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While speaking on his recent podcast, Ferdinand shared his thoughts on the strong message sent by Onana’s transfer. He said, “They are not going to have players sitting around that are not worthy of being at the football club anymore. They are not going to have players that are either not good enough, haven't performed well enough or not the right people to be at the football club. He is not going to have them around like bad smells. That side of it has been more important than even the incoming players because I think it sends a fantastic message and a strong message to the players.”

A Closer Look at the Andre Onana Loan

Andre Onana’s Manchester United stint has come to a pause, with the goalkeeper sealing a season-long loan move to Turkish side Trabzonspor. The 29-year-old arrived at Old Trafford from Inter Milan back in 2023 for a hefty €51 million fee, with the potential to rise by another €4m, but things haven’t exactly gone to plan since.

Despite lifting the FA Cup in his debut season, Onana’s time in Manchester has been defined more by mistakes than moments of brilliance. Last year’s campaign was tough, and this season didn’t start any better a hamstring injury kept him out of pre-season, and when he did return, he was at fault in United’s shock Carabao Cup loss to Grimsby.

With questions already swirling about his future, the club’s decision to bring in Antwerp’s Senne Lammens for €21m on deadline day made the writing on the wall even clearer. Onana needed a fresh start, and Trabzonspor offered just that.

The deal was completed right before the Turkish transfer window slammed shut, and United confirmed the move with a short statement wishing him well. For now, the Cameroonian shot-stopper gets a chance to reset, while United turn their focus back to the Premier League derby against City.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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