Ferguson begins United clear-out

Ferguson has already signed Crusaders left-back Stephen McBride on a pre-contract agreement but says that any further arrivals will be dependent upon money being freed up in the club’s wage budget from the departure of existing players.

Ferguson has released Dublin-based defender Shaun Maher and young winger William Bingham, while defenders Richard Vauls and Chris Rodgers have been told they are free to find other clubs, despite both having a year left on their contracts.

“Shaun came to help us out in January but from a financial point of view, we couldn’t re-sign him,” Ferguson told Times Sport.

“William Bingham came in during the season and played in the County Antrim Shield final in only his second game but we didn’t feel that he kicked on as well as we would have liked after that and he’s at an age where he’s too old to be playing for the Reserves, where we are wanting to be bringing through teenagers to improve their development.

“With Stephen McBride joining, it is going to limit Richard Vauls’ chances of first team football, especially with Michael Ruddy and Aaron Stewart also able to play at left-back.

“It’s a similar story in Chris Rodgers’ case, with Mark McCullagh having signed at the end of the season, who can play either at right-back or the centre of defence, so it would seem that Richard and Chris would have more opportunities of first team football elsewhere.”

But Ferguson has thrown a potential lifeline to homegrown defender Denver Gage, who has battled back from more than a year out of football with a long-standing groin injury. He made his first senior appearance in 18 months as a substitute in the league win at Lisburn Distillery in the closing weeks of the season, while his contract also expired at the end of the campaign just past.

“We will give Denver an opportunity to prove his fitness in pre-season with a view to possibly earning a new contract.

“I know how much the club means to him and the coaching staff have been impressed with his attitude towards getting back after his injury.

“I have played against Denver and not only is he a big, strong defender, he’s also a better footballer than a lot of people give him credit for,” added Ferguson.

Defender Davy Munster is the only other senior player out of contract this summer and Ferguson admits the veteran centre-back has been left in limbo until other players depart.

“I’ve told Davy that it might be a few weeks before the picture becomes clearer with regard to his future.

“I would like to keep him because he has rarely let us down and he is a terrific influence on the pitch and in the dressing room but it will all depend on whether the money will be available in the budget.

“Davy played more games last season than he expected and I have already told him I wouldn’t expect him to play as many next year.”

Ferguson also appeared to pour cold water on reports linking United with veterans Colin Nixon and Stephen Douglas, who have been released by Glentoran and Linfield respectively.

“It’s not totally a question of age because some players are able to play on into their late thirties but we’re looking to try to build something for the future with younger players, rather than looking at a short-term fix.

“We have been pro-active in trying to sign players but the financial situation and wage budget makes it difficult for us to attract better players,” added Ferguson.