Rio Ferdinand has blamed a former team-mate for letting Brazilian icon Ronaldo score a hat-trick in Manchester United's Champions League defeat to Real Madrid - 21 years ago.
Ferdinand has just joined Old Trafford from Leeds and is in the early stages of his career at United and Europe, facing one of the best teams - and best players - in the world in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Madrid won the first leg 3-1 in Spain, but United hope to reverse their loss in the second leg at Old Trafford with the support of the home crowd.
However, this did not materialize. They won 4-3 that night, but three goals from Ronaldo helped Madrid win the final 6-5. Advertisement
And in a BT Sport video shared on TikTok, Ferdinand took aim at former goalkeeper Fabien Barthez for his role in opening three goals.
“Barthez, he can only dribble from close range,” began Ferdinand, referring to the opening goal, scored in the 12th minute of the game.
"I have him in a position where I want him to go away from goal. He can only get close to the post... Fabien? Fabien, man! We have to get back to that."
However, Ferdinand conceded the second goal was entirely his fault. I said:
"Fantastic dribble. He's in the box. No defenders around. My mistake, man. I'll take it." It's me. I'll take this."
But the third time, he blamed Barthez. I said:
“We are falling,” said Ferdinand. "I have to get up. I have to tighten things up a little bit. But… Fabien, what are you doing?!”
Fabien Barthez and Zinedine Zidane play football
Barthez left United shortly after the final, leaving in 2004 to return to his native France before becoming a retired racing driver.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand won the Champions League with United, leading the team to the final in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Chelsea in 2008.
He also won six Premier League titles, a Club World Cup and two League Cups during his 12 years with the club. Not bad.
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