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'I'm a meme because of my team!' - Rio Ferdinand blames Man Utd for making him 'the butt of a lot of jokes' after TNT Sports exit

Club Friendlies

Manchester United

Leeds

<p>Ferdinand’s connection with United runs deep. The former England international enjoyed a highly successful spell at Old Trafford, lifting six Premier League titles and a Champions League trophy under Sir Alex Ferguson. But in stark contrast to those glory days, the current era has offered little to celebrate.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>The frustrations of Ferdinand are hardly unfounded, as the 2024–25 campaign was one of <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/man-utd-2025-summer-transfer-window-priorities/blt1f6c513701ea1f3e" target="_blank">United’s darkest in over half a century. </a>Finishing 15th in the Premier League table marked their worst league performance in 51 years. Their <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/ruben-amorim-apologises-to-man-utd-fans-after-disaster-season-passionate-final-day-speech-vows-good-days-are-coming/blt6277102b5c4a5425" target="_blank">woes continued on the European stage</a>, as they fell short in the Europa League final, losing to Tottenham Hotspur.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>As someone who helped enhance the club’s legacy, being forced to witness its collapse from the pundit’s chair was a painful irony for Ferdinand, who stepped down from his role as a TNT Sports pundit after the Champions League final. In a heartfelt conversation with <a href="https://www.espn.in/football/story/_/id/45442123/man-united-woes-made-butt-lot-jokes-rio-ferdinand" target="_blank"><em>ESPN Brasil</em>,</a> he said: "It's sad, man. I'm on TV, I've got to talk about this stuff. I'm on the TV, everyone can take the mick out of me. I'm a meme sometimes on social media because of my team.</p><p>"So it's hard, man, I'm doing punditry in the worst possible time in Manchester through this terrible moment. So I more than anyone, as much as anybody, want Man United to get back just for the reason that so I can shout and give some banter back to these guys because I've been the butt of a lot of jokes because of United at the moment."</p>

WHAT FERDINAND SAID

<p>With European football off the table, United’s schedule will be significantly lighter next season. Barring any extended domestic cup runs, the Red Devils are expected to play just once a week for most of the campaign. This rare gap in their calendar might offer a silver lining, giving the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/ruben-amorim-to-run-brutal-pre-season-in-effort-to-change-man-utd-s-fortunes-after-dismal-campaign-as-red-devils-boss-hands-out-fitness-instructions-to-players-during-summer-break/blt41a137a4de48bffe#cse9d2c889556100ae" target="_blank">squad ample recovery and preparation time </a>between matches.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>With a long summer ahead and major questions surrounding management, recruitment, and leadership, Manchester United face a pivotal few months. They will return to action in the form of a pre-season friendly against old rivals Leeds United on July 19 at the Friends Arena in Stockholm, Sweden.</p>

WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER UNITED?

'I'm a meme because of my team!' - Rio Ferdinand blames Man Utd for making him 'the butt of a lot of jokes' after TNT Sports exit | Goal.com

Rio Ferdinand has blamed Manchester United for making him &quot;the butt of a lot of jokes&quot; after his TNT Sports exit.

&apos;I&apos;m a meme because of my team!&apos; - Rio Ferdinand blames Man Utd for making him &apos;the butt of a lot of jokes&apos; after TNT Sports exit

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