Fans and pundits criticise Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand for his astonishing defence of Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley

Fans and pundits criticise Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand for his astonishing defence of Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley
Rio Ferdinand has been criticised for comments he made in which he defended Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley.Speaking ahead of the Magpies’ clashwith Chelsea at Stamford Bridge on BT Sport, the former Manchester United and England defender said he understood Ashley’s dealings in the transfer windows as he attempts to sell the club.2

Ferdinand defended Mike Ashley

Thebillionaire retail entrepreneur sells Ferdinand’s own clothing brand FIVE exclusively at his retail branch Sports Direct, but the 40-year-old says opinions have nothing to do with business.“I dont even really know him well,” Ferdinand said. “I will get to know him.“My issue has got nothing to do with my business dealings Ive got with his company. When he went down he spent 50million of his own money to get them back up.“I understand Rafas frustrations because as a manager you want the ability to go out and spend money, but theyre not in that position. “At the same time I understand Mike Ashley.“Why is he going to spend more and more money – millions and millions of pounds – when hes actually looking to sell the club? Hes got them to a point now where theyre back in the Premier League and theyre consolidating to a certain extent.“Hes not going to go spend his own money. You wouldnt go spend your own money now knowing you were trying to sell something unless you knew you were going to get that back.”Ferdinand then added that Newcastlesupporters should start to have more realistic expectations about their club.Its not easy to sell a football club,” he continued.“Hes got a price and hes going to wait to get it. Hes spent money at that football club, hes just not going to spend it at this time.2

Newcastle fans want Ashley to sell the club

“All these fans, they do dream, and they dream big and I understand that.“What are Newcastles aims? They cant be aiming at being a Manchester United or a Manchester City. Theyve got to aim to be a Bournemouth.“Theyve only just started spending. Im not saying everything theyre doing is correct.“What Im saying is, I think Mike Ashley, you cant hammer him and say that he should be spending when he wants to sell the club. You wouldnt spend on your house when you want to sell it.”His comments prompted an angry reaction on social media, with pundits and fans calling Ferdinand out.

ICYMI: The quite ridiculous claims of @rioferdy5.Including getting #nufc spend wrong, claiming #nufc are a yo yo club (they are thanks to Ashley) and just getting everything wrong basically.https://t.co/IRym0SObmT— Mark Douglas (@MsiDouglas) January 12, 2019

 

Rio Ferdinand. His utter contempt for Newcastle fans is quite astonishing. Aligned with Mike Ashley with his business deals mean us #NUFC fans now need to worship. @btsport – whatever youre paying him, its too much.— Glen (@GlenLegend) January 13, 2019

Utterly embarrassing from Ferdinand. Either incredibly ignorant or wilfully disingenuous pic.twitter.com/MTdV0AGtoP— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) January 12, 2019

Rio Ferdinand saying that Mike Ashley spent 50m of his own money to get Newcastle United promoted and he should be thanked. That's categorically not true. The money spent was generated by the club.— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) January 12, 2019

Rio Ferdinand has annoyed a lot of Newcastle fans tonight and rightly so too, talk about kissing mike Ashleys backside cause hes got his fashion range in his shops. Disgrace!!— Pete Norman (@PeteNorman2612) January 12, 2019

Doubling down on incorrect comments made due to a joint business interest instead of accepting the truth of what MA legacy has caused the loyal support of Newcastle is what you'd expect from an egotistical clueless clown like Ferdinand— John McIntosh (@JohnMcIntosh19) January 13, 2019

 

Rio Ferdinand either being a lazy pundit or ignoring the reality for his own purposes. https://t.co/7Z3Rp5UhmA— Jay McKenna (@JayMcKenna87) January 12, 2019

This is so ignorant it's incredible. Ferdinand has always portrayed himself as the 'banterous' man of the people. Well he has destroyed that perception in just a matter on minutespic.twitter.com/8knZkIYGSw— Gully Burrows (@gullyburrows93) January 12, 2019

Ferdinand reacted to the criticism he received on Sunday morning, sending out a Tweet directed at the St James’ Park faithful.

@NUFC fans good morning to you all!! Ya clubs turning a profit, no debt, oh & playing in the PL! Terrible!— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) January 13, 2019

---

Barcelona sign Jeison Murillo from Valencia on loan with future £20m option on defender BARCELONA have signed defender Jeison Murillo on loan from Valencia until the end of the season. The La Liga champions were in the market for a new centre-back following injuries to Samuel Umtiti and Thomas Vermaelen.
Barcelona take Valencia defender Murillo on loan

---

Arsenal in transfer fight with rivals Spurs over Andre Gomes after Barcelona ace's impressive Everton loan ready to pounce and steal ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in the race of Barcelona
Tottenham ready to steal Andre Gomes away from Everton

---

Vakoun Issouf Bayo: Celtic legend Lubomir Moravcik expects

---

John Motson slams VAR after Manchester United penalty controversy: 'I call it Virtual Absolute Rubbish - it doesn't work!' John Motson launched an amazing rant against VAR on talkSPORT after the controversial finish to Manchester United's stunning Champions League comeback against Paris Saint-Germain. The Red Devils beat..
PSG perplexed as Champions League run ends in familiar

---

Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has urged his former club to 'go all out' and secure the services of Mauricio Pochettino for next season.Speaking openly about the situation at Old Trafford
Rooney tells United to go 'all out' to get Pochettino

---

Mauricio Pochettino claims he could cope at Tottenham even if stars were sold Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Mousa Dembele had been linked with exits.
Tottenham Hotspur boss Mauricio Pochettino: 'We deserved more

---

Chelsea should confirm the arrival of Monaco's Tiemoue Bakayoko this week Costa is willing to join his former club and then wait until the new year to play. Chelsea left-back Marcos Alonso
Danny Drinkwater submits transfer request at Leicester

---

Cardiff vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Full commentary, free stream and confirmed line-ups for Premier League clash Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 22, 2019 Cardiff host Liverpool today in a huge Premier League clash at both ends of the table.
Cardiff vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Full commentary, free
hollywoodadviser.com/cardiff-vs-liverpool-live-on-talksport-full-commentary-free-stream-and-line-ups-for-premier-league-clash/
For more information about how to listen LIVE on talkSPORT click here. Cardiff vs Liverpool: Kick-off time. The Premier League clash will get underway at 4pm on Sunday, April 21. Liverpool claimed a 4-1 win in the reverse fixture in October thanks to Sadio Mane's brace and goals from Mohamed Salah and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Cardiff vs Liverpool live on talkSPORT: Full commentary, free

---

£30 price cap on Premier League away tickets 'set to be extended' If the decision is put to a vote, 14 out of the 20 clubs would need to approve it.

---

Rangers have appealed against Alfredo Morelos' sending off against Aberdeen on Wednesday - the striker's third dismissal against the Pittodrie club this term. Morelos and Scott McKenna, who were involved in an incident in the first game of the season, were both shown red cards by Bobby Madden after appearing to aim kicks at each other.
Steven Gerrard insists Rangers striker Alfredo Morelos

---

mike stand Michael Carrick to sign new Man Utd deal but Mike Phelan may reject No2 job in blow to Solskjaer MICHAEL CARRICK is on the verge of signing a new deal at Manchester United, but Mike
Manchester United news: Michael Carrick on verge of signing

---

Manchester United could let Antonio Valencia leave in transfer next week with Newcastle and Fulham keen The 33-year-old - who is set to become a free agent in the summer - has featured just five
Man Utd transfer news: Captain Antonio Valencia could leave

---

Unai Emery has brought the feel-good factor back to Arsenal, claims Gunners legend Nigel Winterburn The former defender believes there was a lot of negativity surrounding the club last season
Unai Emery has brought the feel-good factor back to Arsenal

---