Rio Ferdinand is set to return to the airwaves for Manchester United’s must-win Champions League clash with Galatasary tonight after suddenly leaving TNT’s live broadcast of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint Germain last night in mysterious circumstances.
Mail Sport can reveal that the former England captain was taken ill during the game in Paris and returned to his hotel to rest, but is feeling better this morning and has declared himself fit for Champions League duty this evening.
Ferdinand is understood to be currently on a flight for Paris to Istanbul where he will provide expert analysis for TNT as United bid to get their Champions League campaign back on track, with Erik Ten Hag’s side needing to win to keep their hopes of qualifying for the knockout stages alive.
TNT did not explain Ferdinand’s surprise absence after last night’s game other than a short statement from presenter Laura Woods, who put his departure down to unforeseen circumstances.
‘Rio would be here to chat about Manchester United now, but we had to let him go [due to] unforeseen circumstances,’ Woods told viewers. ‘He is OK. Don’t worry.’
Rio Ferdinand was part of TNT Sports’ coverage prior to Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with PSG
The ex-Man United star was forced to leave the broadcast due to ‘unforeseen circumstances’
Ally McCoist covered for Ferdinand in the post-match show, as the Scot hot-footed it down from commentary to join Woods and Jenas.
It was left to the trio to discuss a breathtaking finale in Ferdinand’s absence, as Newcastle narrowly missed out on a famous victory.
The Magpies had looked set to take all three points after Alexander Isak pounced on a Gianluigi Donnarumma error to fire the visitors in front in the first half.
Newcastle hung on until deep into second-half stoppage time thanks to some heroic defending and an inspired goalkeeping performance from Nick Pope before Tino Livramento was controversially penalised for a handball inside the penalty area.
It looked a harsh decision with the ball hitting his chest first before ricocheting onto his elbow, but after checking the pitchside monitor the referee pointed to the spot and Kylian Mbappe tucked home the penalty to earn his side a point.
Fans did not get to hear Ferdinand’s view of the incident, but Jenas and McCoist were both in agreement that a penalty should not have been given, with the latter labelling the refereeing decision ‘a disgrace’.
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