"He hasn't had the big moments" - Rio Ferdinand chooses between Manchester United's Andre Onana and Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale
Rio Ferdinand has explained why he would choose Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana over Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale in his combined XI.
On the SDS podcast, the Red Devils icon was asked to give a combined XI of both his former club and the Gunners. He delved into why he would prefer Onana over Ramsdale in the hypothetical lineup.
Ferdinand sided with the new Manchester United shot-stopper but did lavish praise on Ramsdale:
"Onana because his resume tells me he's ahead of Ramsdale. I think Ramsdale's been a huge signing for Arsenal. (They've) needed a goalkeeper that they can rely on for a number of years now. He's been consistent. I think his all-round game is very good, and he's good with his feet."
However, Ferdinand then alluded to the fact that Rasmdale is yet to do it on the biggest stage and lacks big moments compared to Onana:
"Prior to coming to Arsenal, he hasn't had the exposure in big games and big moments to go and be ahead of Onana."
Ramsdale enjoyed a superb sophomore season at the Emirates, playing a key role in the Gunners' Premier League pursuit, keeping 15 clean sheets in 41 games across competitions.
However, the 25-year-old is still to displace Jordan Pickford as England's No.1. Moreover, he will be playing UEFA Champions League football for the first time next season.
Meanwhile, Manchester United's new goalkeeper Onana featured in last season's Champions League final for Inter Milan in a 1-0 defeat to Manchester City.
The 27-year-old was a brilliant form for Inter, keeping 19 clean sheets in 41 games across competitions. It was a superb showing in his debut season at the San Siro and a reason why United manager Erik ten Hag was eager to reunite with his former Ajax shot-stopper.
Onana has won three Eredivisie, one Coppa and two KNVB Cups, while Ramsdale is yet to win silverware.
Arsenal missed out on Manchester United's Onana in 2021
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta appears to be a huge admirer of Onana, as he was in pursuit of the Cameroonian in 2021. The former Ajax goalkeeper's contract with the Eredivisie giants was expiring, so he was free to join any potential suitor.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Onana rejected an approach from the Gunners and instead decided to join Inter Milan in 2022. It's an intriguing timeframe as Ramsdale had been at the Emirates for three months.
Arteta will get the opportunity to see Onana up close this season when his team play Manchester United, who splashed out £47.2 million on the Cameroon international.