BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand may well have invoked the ire of Newcastle United supporters during his defence of Mike Ashley in 2019, so his comments lamenting the state of former club Manchester United following their loss to Burnley last night were always going to be of interest to the Toon Army.
https://twitter.com/rioferdy5/status/1220119378072686592
Posting a video of the retired England defender slating what’s happened to his former charges under the current regime, plenty of Magpies replied suggesting he was being hypocritical after previously suggested Newcastle fans should ‘say thank you’ to Ashley for employing Rafa Benitez in the first place.
After all, this is a man who told Newcastle fans ‘they’ve got to aim to be a Bournemouth’ during BT’s coverage of their game against Chelsea in 2019 (via talkSPORT) and then seemed to mock them on Twitter by saying the club was ‘turning a profit, no debt and oh, playing in the PL!’ a day later.
As you can imagine, following his words about his beloved Manchester United, plenty of Toon fans duly reacted.
https://twitter.com/DickoNortheast/status/1220113149304721408
One rule for #MUFC and one rule for your mate Mike at #NUFC.
Why aren’t you telling Man Utd fans they should be happy?
You’re a hypocrite and a sell-out, Rio
— The__Farmster (@The__Farmster) January 23, 2020
Any regrets on what you said about Newcastle?#PotCallingKettle
— AmersBasu (@BerwickDaz) January 23, 2020
Berate #NUFC fans for bemoaning an owner with a net spend of 37 pence, yet Man U's £1.1bn spend is something to be whinged about? #MUFC Incredible facilities, huge wages, massive players, in a transition vs NUFC's years of neglect and relegation. Heads gone, Ferdinand.
— Nedders (@Neddrs) January 23, 2020
https://twitter.com/furrygiblets/status/1220307331692605440
Wasn’t this when you spoke about Ashley at Newcastle? But now it’s happening at Man United and there owners aren’t selling your merch something should be done about who’s running the club? Come on Rio, Ole’s at the wheel man, he’s doing his thing, Man United are back. #Clown https://t.co/OD9c75Pewc
— James Hocking© (@JimmyHock22) January 23, 2020
What did you make of Rio’s outburst? Join the discussion by commenting below…
