Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand has offered a fresh perspective on the club’s ongoing difficulties, arguing that much of the criticism aimed at goalkeeper André Onana is misplaced.
According to Ferdinand, United’s defensive problems run far deeper than the man between the posts, and the real issue lies with how the team defends as a unit — particularly the player or players consistently leaving the goalkeeper exposed.
Speaking during a recent punditry discussion, Ferdinand explained that United’s struggles at the back have been building for years and did not suddenly appear with Onana’s arrival.
While the Cameroonian goalkeeper has often found himself under the spotlight following goals conceded, Ferdinand believes the narrative unfairly overlooks the breakdowns occurring in front of him.
“People keep pointing fingers at Onana, but that’s not where the real problem is,” Ferdinand explained. “Onana has shown his quality before — at Ajax, in the Champions League, and on the international stage.
He’s comfortable on the ball, confident in one-on-one situations, and capable of making big saves. If you really watch the games closely, you’ll see that he’s being put in impossible situations far too often.”
Ferdinand stressed that defensive organization is the foundation of any successful team, and this is where United are consistently falling short.
He highlighted how defenders are frequently caught out of position, fail to track runners, or leave dangerous spaces unprotected — situations that inevitably force the goalkeeper into damage-control mode.
A key point in Ferdinand’s assessment was the lack of stability and understanding within United’s defensive line. Constant changes in personnel, whether due to injuries or inconsistent selection, have prevented the formation of a dependable partnership, especially at centre-back.
Without familiarity and trust, defenders struggle to anticipate each other’s movements, leading to hesitation and costly errors.
Full-backs were also mentioned as part of the wider problem. Ferdinand noted that when they push forward without adequate cover or fail to recover quickly, central defenders and the goalkeeper are left dangerously exposed. In those moments, even an elite goalkeeper is unlikely to bail the team out repeatedly.
“For a goalkeeper to thrive, he needs protection,” Ferdinand continued. “Defenders must take responsibility for their positioning and decision-making.
If you’re constantly leaving your keeper facing clear chances, the goals will come — no matter who’s in goal.”
Beyond individual mistakes, Ferdinand also pointed to tactical issues. He suggested that unclear instructions and a lack of defensive cohesion from the coaching staff have contributed to the chaos.
Without a clear defensive identity, players are unsure when to press, drop, or hold their shape, resulting in confusion and vulnerability.
Ferdinand concluded by reminding fans of United’s proud defensive heritage, a time when solidity and discipline were hallmarks of the club’s success.
He urged the club’s hierarchy and supporters to shift the focus away from blaming Onana and instead address the structural and personnel flaws that continue to expose the goalkeeper.
In Ferdinand’s view, until those deeper issues are resolved, changing the goalkeeper — or scapegoating him will do little to fix Manchester United’s defensive problems.
