Legendary youtuber and podcaster Rio Ferdinand showed up to watch United train
Rio Ferdinand
- Thread starter choccy77
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Can't stand him, cocky and loud, and now he walks into training, saying what? That Ronaldo is the goat? He may have been a great player, but he doesn't understand football.
It’s clear some of our pundits value friendships over the progression of the team. And to be honest, it’s the same in all walks of life. I’ve defended my friends when they’ve been in the wrong countless times just because they’re a friend.
edit: usually in sporting games or random debates - not talking about serious stuff here.
Arguably the best CB of the Premier League era and he doesn't understand football.
Rightio.
i like him , be sure he would not be in Carrington if ETH did not think he had something positive to bring. If nothing else Rio is a positive guy and a players guy.
I even like the Vibe with Five stuff, especially when they are bantering Joel
Amazing defender, shit pundit. And it is still hard to accept that he lost that header against Messi
Of course he understands football - as a player.
That means feck all, though.
The world is full of ex-players who are shite pundits. The idea that a (former) top player must by necessity also be a top pundit is as ridiculous as it gets. The evidence is overwhelming. Many of them come across as - let's be honest - thick as feck.
Don’t want him at the club ….he’s better off doing punditry spouting bollocks
I hope you're on a wind-up
What's with the hostile reception over here, he's a legend of ours he deserves more respect.
The fact that he sat and shouted "GIVE HIM A CONTRACT" when we were totally outplayed by PSG says something different. I've heard him many times, he is very single-minded and his opinions on Ronaldo... well. As I said, great player but he doesn't understand the game in depth and that's why he's never going to coach at a high level either.
Respect him as a player, probably the greatest centre back we've ever had in my opinion. However, all that Ronaldo nonsense and getting in bed with a pure bellend like Steven Howson is very irritating. I'd rather cherish the memory of the brilliant player and try and ignore the dreadful YouTuber he's become. Brass neck turning up to training in United's biggest week after he was so intent Ten Hag was getting it wrong just a few weeks ago.
Aye, I have lots of love for Rio but he really pissed me off with the EtH "disrespecting" (something along those lines, or "could have handled it better") Ronaldo bit during that saga.
Pundits can sit behind a touch screen and talk a good game, but we all know its a difficult skill to do it from the technical area as a manager...that's why they are pundits and not coaches.
Rio's opinions come across a bit think at times but he is harmless really.
Rio's opinions come across a bit think at times but he is harmless really.
I wouldn't say that Rio Ferdinand, or any pundit with a football background doesn't understand football. It's an ignorant comment to make and disregards all they have done as players. However, especially in England, I don't think there is this appreciation of the work that goes into coaching a team. You see it all the time in punditry how for example a player like Ronaldo doesn't need coaching just show him the goal, this is nonsense and an equally ignorant comment.
Modern football has come a long way. I remember the days when the media hounded Benitez for attempting 4-2-3-1 zonal marking in the Premier league, Mclaren derided for using 3 at the back (pundits and media back then saying no English player can play 3 at the back being a famous line trotted out), peps tiki taka would never work in the Premier league etc or the classic of course these players can play together they are professionals.
Some of it is hyperbole to generate clicks and views, but a lot of it is players that don't fathom the repetition and drilling that they do is a lot more than just busy work.
Modern football has come a long way. I remember the days when the media hounded Benitez for attempting 4-2-3-1 zonal marking in the Premier league, Mclaren derided for using 3 at the back (pundits and media back then saying no English player can play 3 at the back being a famous line trotted out), peps tiki taka would never work in the Premier league etc or the classic of course these players can play together they are professionals.
Some of it is hyperbole to generate clicks and views, but a lot of it is players that don't fathom the repetition and drilling that they do is a lot more than just busy work.
Understanding football as a player doesn't make you a good pundit by definition. You need to extract that knowledge that you have ingrained in you by years of experience & training, analyze and verbalize it... and it's not the easiest thing to do. Someone like Henry or even Neville/Carragher (although less & worse now that they did at the beginning) do it, but overall most of ex-players are relatively shit at it. Rio is very outspoken and well-articulated but he doesn't do this transfer knowledge very well — and he puts his personal relationships over stating the truth which is a fine thing to do for a human but a poor quality to have as a pundit. The case with Cristiano would be the best example, of course.
He's still a fantastic guy, he's full of great stories from his playing days and he communicates so seamlessly with other (ex-) players, he does get a talent to be a great host/interviewer.
He's still a fantastic guy, he's full of great stories from his playing days and he communicates so seamlessly with other (ex-) players, he does get a talent to be a great host/interviewer.
Ridiculous statement to make on a football forum full of relative nobodies when it comes to understanding professional football.
It’s a smite on this generation that everyone thinks their opinion is better than anyone else’s, regardless of qualification to preach re: that subject matter.
I blame the fan channels for giving a platform to people who know less than even the average fan.
Don't mind him at all, once again one of our ex players who quite clearly loves the club, hated on SadCafe.
How old are some of you?
How can you accuse a player who's played at the pinnacle of the game and has the pots and medals to prove it of not knowing ball. Yeah, he lets his emotions get the better of him, I would say that's something we share in common.
He loves United, he's a legend and of course he has a media business so he has to walk a fine line. Come on, some of you are just showing your asses.
Eth reckons he's a good vibe on the training ground so sit down.
He loves United, he's a legend and of course he has a media business so he has to walk a fine line. Come on, some of you are just showing your asses.
Eth reckons he's a good vibe on the training ground so sit down.
Brilliant as a footballer, but I wouldn’t encourage anyone at OT to bring in Rio as a coach or any kind of advisor. But let’s be clear, Rio is one of the greatest defenders of all time.
Excatly
Despite i didn't agree with him lately (Ronaldo and Solskjaer) i love the guy. He is the only pundit (ex player) who behaves as a honest muppet fan. It is refreshing.
What
Yeah but he like supported Ole and Ronaldo, therefore I hate him and he's a complete idiot. Get lost Rio you dumb dumb, you know nussing about footy!How old are some of you?
This. Plus I love listening to him as he shares a lot of memories/insight from his playing days, absolutely fascinating.
Rio gives the best breakdowns of defensive play I've seen on TV, yet he doesn't understand football -_- perhaps on a broader scale, he says ill-advised things, but he shows his expertise in the art of defending, and explaining it, whenever he's asked to - and as a former CB, that's the most important aspect of his punditry with the rest being white noise.
I think his words as a fan and loyal supporter of former team-mates has clouded views of him as a whole.
I think his words as a fan and loyal supporter of former team-mates has clouded views of him as a whole.
People don't like Rio? I wasn't aware of that. Seems like a regular every day United supporter, so that would be weird.
He understands defending. In the days when his punditry focused on techie analysis of it he was great to listen to. I’m not sure his general punditry shows any great insight though.
There are plenty of brilliant players who have no idea why they were so good. Scholes being a prime example. He knows what he used to do and that's about it. Anything else is beyond him.
I wouldn't say Rio is that bad but he's as outspoken as he is a bit thick.
Completley disagree, I like Rio and find him quite entertaining.
I don't really understand this view. He's admitted multiple times that he's an emotional fan. When United are flying, he's cocky and confident, but he's honest enough to not hide the lows. I sometimes feel sorry for him when we lose because he actually seems totally distraught
He's not a cold and analytical robot, but he's as much invested in United's performances on the pitch as any fan, and he certainly knows what he's talking about when it comes to defending. I like that he doesn't talk tactics in an overly abstract way and instead focuses on the dilemmas and actual problems you face as a defender playing in different ways against different opponents. I actually find it very down to earth and refreshing.
The man is an absolute whopper. But he’s a huge United fan and that’s enough.
I don’t get the hate he receives. Club Legend, good guy and I personally like his YouTube channel. Yes he said some silly shit regarding the Ronaldo situation but who hasn’t had a shit opinion on some football related topic at some point? Hating him for that is just daft.
I like him a lot but find him valuing friendships over the club's best interests a tad annoying, which seems to be a common trait among our outspoken ex-players. Even if it's understandable. I would probably like him more when he don't have any old mates at the club anymore.
I mean come on
Love Rio. Our legends showing up must be great for the mood with Rio and RVP in the last day or so, and then SAF having dinner with ETH.
Don't get the Rio hate, he's a legend of the club and a great person. Made mistakes on punditry? Who doesn't?
Don't get the Rio hate, he's a legend of the club and a great person. Made mistakes on punditry? Who doesn't?
He’s not the sharpest but his love for United is unquestionable. Yeah he made himself look a bit silly defending his mates but in a world where ‘friends’ turn on you the second things go a bit sour, it’s actually quite admirable.
Suggesting Ronaldo is the best is hardly mad is it?
It's not like he said Darren Fletcher is?!
Doesn't understand football
Presumably as well as "Mickson" on the internet?