Rio Ferdinand has been branded a 'disgrace' by a supporter after appearing to 'fat-shame' Manchester United content creator Saeed TV during a heated disagreement about the club. The former United defender launched a counter-attack on the influencer after being urged to condemn the club's ownership, telling him to 'pick up your t**s, ya out of breath typing'.
Dispute sparked by Ferdinand's post
The dispute erupted after Ferdinand posted a photograph of himself alongside Michael Carrick, quoting the United manager who stated: "It is not about me. Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual, bigger than me, bigger than any player and anyone else who works at the club." While it's not entirely clear who these remarks were aimed at, speculation suggests they may concern Lisandro Martinez after the defender's post-match condemnation of the club's hierarchy and claims the squad lacked adequate depth.
In response to Ferdinand's post, Saeed commented: "Stop yapping and call out the owners!" Ferdinand then retaliated, posting: "Stop yapping and pick up ya t**s, ya out a breath typing!" Saeed hit back: "Absolute weirdo. Goes to personal insults because you've been clearly exposed! Says a lot about you as a man!"
Saeed's video response
He later posted a video addressing the confrontation, targeting the former England international. "You are a grown man and this is the response you put on social media," he said. "You have got kids watching you. You are a role model to so many around the world, and yet this is how you conduct yourself around the world. It's absolutely embarrassing. You've got people around you who respect you. What is there to respect when you're speaking like this on social media?"
Saeed added: "It doesn't affect me because I've been through a lot on social media and above all, I've been racially abused, so I've got thick skin. For me to hold you accountable and for you to resort to that... It tells everything about you."
Fans split on social media
The heated confrontation has split opinion amongst supporters on social media, with some backing Saeed while others have rallied behind Ferdinand. Numerous fans flocked to X to voice their opinions on the matter. One posted: "That's poor from Rio," before another added: "Rio Ferdinand is an absolute disgrace. Imagine being SO blind that you have to resort to this type of nonsense."
However, others maintained that the influencer had instigated the reaction. One supporter remarked: "Can't stand Rio, but if you're gonna say 'stop yapping' to a grown man, he's well within his rights to insult him." Another posted: "He was disrespectful first so got disrespect back," while a further fan concurred, stating: "So Saeed is allowed to go at Rio all the time and he can't hit back, understood."
