Rio Ferdinand and Jermaine Jenas told ‘we’ll have to separate you’ after angry Man Utd row | Football | Sport

Jermaine Jenas accused Rio Ferdinand of ‘bias’ after the Manchester United icon insisted his former club will finish inside the Premier League‘s top four come the end of the season. The pair were at each other’s throats on the TNT Sports broadcast as presenter Lynsey Hipgrave joked ‘we’ll have to separate you two’.

Both pundits were asked for their top four predictions on the TNT Sports panel ahead of Chelsea‘s trip to Kenilworth Road to play Premier League new boys Luton Town. Jenas picked Manchester City to win the league with Arsenal tucking in just behind the reigning champions in second place ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa.

The former Tottenham star stated that Spurs could nick the fourth spot from Villa but there was no place for Manchester United in his top four considerations. Ferdinand picked the same top three as Jenas but chose United to come in fourth. When asked why he thought United would sneak in, Ferdinand riposted: « Who said sneak in? I think Manchester United will be there [top four]. » He continued: « I don’t think they [INEOS] will have any bearing on it at the moment because they’re not going to have a bearing on this next transfer window, they are going to be observers looking and seeing what’s going on and the big challenges behind the scenes they can then change.

« But I think Manchester United have had one of the most injury-ravaged teams this season, come January a lot of those players will be back and I think they will have a big impact on this team. Manchester United are still in touch, and with a bigger squad back playing, getting results they’ll hopefully be back in the top four. »

Jenas could be seen shaking his head and had a surprised expression on his face before replying: « Do you believe this? Do you honestly believe what you’re saying? » Ferdinand fired back: « Yeah, why are you questioning me? »

Jenas retorted: « Because I remember you having a meltdown at Fulham. Mine was a legitimate one. I just don’t think I had a bias nature with mine. » Ferdinand then answered back: « Oh, did you play for Villa did you? » in reference to Jenas’ brief loan spell at Villa Park in 2011.

Jenas continued: « I think the United shout is a mad one. I’ve seen you have a meltdown after meltdown all year about United and now you chuck them in the top four? »

Ferdinand responded: « I’m up and down like a yo-yo with them, I am. I am and I admit it and I love it, right. If Manchester United finish fourth and don’t win a trophy, which is very likely, it’s an okay season. » When pushed further on his belief, Ferdinand then confidently said at the end of the debate: « Oh, they’re in there, they’ll bounce in there. They might finish third. »

As the tension eased, Hipgrave asked: « Are you two ok now? » To which, Ferdinand replied « Yeah, we’re alright. Well we will see come the end of the season won’t we. » Hipgrave interrupted: « We’ll stop it now before we have to separate you two. »