‘It is ridiculous. It makes me laugh’ – Rio Ferdinand hits out at Manchester United’s critics

Rio Ferdinand, Manchester United

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Rio Ferdinand believes there is a negativity surrounding Manchester United because people do not want them to win the Premier League.

Despite bookmakers making them favourites to retain the league title they won last year, Ferdinand is upset about the negativity being shown and claims it is because fans do not want them to be successful again.

“It is ridiculous. It makes me laugh,” he told reporters.

“We have won the league four times out of five. Half of it is that people want someone else to win it.

“Before I came here, Manchester United used to win the league and I would think it would be nice from a fans’ point of view to see someone else putting up a challenge.

“Your heart rules your head sometimes. Not that it bothers me.”

On the prospect of United winning their 20th league title next season, Ferdinand added: “There is a challenge every year.

“You have to rise to it. Each year we have risen to it and come through.

“We have won four out of the last five leagues. It has not been easy and it will be another tough season this year but we are looking forward to it.”

Ferdinand has suffered from injuries in the past few seasons and was stripped of the England captaincy by Fabio Capello in favour of John Terry.

But he played in the majority of United’s matches at the back-end of last season, which culminated in defeat at Wembley to Barcelona in the Champions League final.

However, the 32-year-old says he has recovered quicker from that disappointment compared to two years ago when United also suffered at the hands of the Catalan giants.

“It was a weird summer,” he said.

“We won a 19th league title, which was obviously fantastic but we lost the Champions League final. When you dust yourself down and analyse everything, it was a successful season.

“If someone had said at the beginning we would reach the Champions League final and win the league, we would have accepted it and I am sure the media would have thought we had done quite well. That is how you have to look at it.

“The time before in Rome, I spent my whole summer moping around even though we had won the league.

“I just think you have to savour moments like that. The 19th title was a big event. We should enjoy it.”