Rio Ferdinand asks ‘why are you questioning me?’ in heated debate with Jermaine Jenas live on TNT Sports
RIO FERDINAND was involved in a tense and heated debate with Jermaine Jenas live on-air as he was accused of being “bias” towards Manchester United.
The two former England internationals were on punditry duty alongside host Lynsey Hipgrave on TNT Sports for Luton’s clash with Chelsea.
During the build-up to the Premier League game, the pair were quizzed on who they thought would finish in the top four come the end of the season.
The 40-year-old Jenas, who played for Nottingham Forest, Newcastle, Tottenham, Aston Villa and QPR, wasted no time with his picks.
He predicted Manchester City to win the league, Arsenal to finish second, with Liverpool third and Villa to clinch fourth spot.
Jenas then said that his old club Spurs could nick fourth from Villa but then appeared to anger Ferdinand by saying that he was not even considering Man United to be contenders.
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United legend Ferdinand then said: “Who said sneak in? I think Manchester United will be there [top four].
“I don't think they [INEOS] will have any bearing on it at the moment because they're not going to have a bearing on this next transfer window, they are going to be observers looking and seeing what's going on and the big challenges behind the scenes they can then change.
“But I think Manchester United have had one of the most injury-ravaged teams this season, come January a lot of those players will be back and I think they will have a big impact on this team.
“Manchester United are still in touch, and with a bigger squad back playing, getting results they'll hopefully be back in the top four.”
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But Jenas then hit back and asked: “Do you believe this? Do you honestly believe what you're saying?”
Leading to Ferdinand firing back: “Yeah, why are you questioning me?”
Jenas said: “Because I remember you having a meltdown at Fulham. Mine was a legitimate one. I just don’t think I had a bias nature with mine.”
However, Ferdinand was having none of it as he replied: “Oh, did you play for Villa did you?” Jenas responded: “I think the United shout is a mad one. I've seen you have a meltdown after meltdown all year about United and now you chuck them in top four?”
Once again Ferdinand had an answer for him, saying: “I'm up and down like a yo yo with them, I am. I am and I admit it and I love it, right.
“If Manchester United finish fourth and don’t win a trophy which is very likely, it’s an okay season... Oh they're in there, they'll bounce in there. They might finish third.”
Fortunately that appeared to ease some of the tension as Hipgrave stepped in to awkwardly ask: “Are you two ok now?”
Ferdinand replied: “Yeah, we're alright. Well we will see come the end of the season won't we.”
And, to avoid another row, Hipgrave interrupted him and said: “We'll stop it now before we have to separate you two.”
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