Rio Ferdinand has discussed Manchester United’s Champions League semi-final victory over Arsenal in 2009.
The former United and England centre-back claims the Reds knew how to “silence” the Gunners during his time at the club.
Ferdinand joined United in 2002 and went on to enjoy incredible success at Old Trafford, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League. When we beat Arsenal in the 2009 Champions League, however, Ferdinand was joined by his formidable defensive partner Nemanja Vidic.
United faced Arsenal en route to the Champions League final in 2009, which sadly ended in a 2-0 defeat to Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The Reds won the first-leg 1-0, thanks to John O’Shea scoring the only goal. The second leg went United’s way as we won 3-1 after goals from Park Ji-sung and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ferdinand, 45, has recalled the experience from the second-leg tie and how Ronaldo’s incredible strike ‘silenced’ Arsenal fans at the Emirates.
Speaking on his VIBE with Five show, Ferdinand said: “We used to silence that crowd, man.
“Remember Ronaldo’s rocket. Silence. Before that game, yeah, you know, some of your fans were feisty before that game giving us in the warm-up so much gyp.
“And I remember Ronaldo getting a bit and distracted and I remember I said to one of their fans, ‘Shut up,’ whatever at Arsenal at the Emirates. He was like getting a bit rowdy and then Ronaldo scored that goal, man.
“I ran over to that fan from the warm-up – nowhere near where we celebrated – and just give him some, man, seriously. Yeah, his head was in his hands. Yeah, he was gone!”
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