Rio Ferdinand has refused to blame one key first-team Manchester United ace for an exchange with Bryan Mbeumo that flew under the radar in the Manchester City match.
The Red Devils are riding high on cloud nine after Manchester United blew Manchester City out of the water with a stunning performance at the weekend.
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What a moment!
Bryan Mbeumo scores for United
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Man Utd hosted Manchester City at Old Trafford and the Red Devils chalked up three important Premier League points under interim Red Devils manager Michael Carrick.
United were dominant with their performance in the Manchester derby and Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock in the second half after Bruno Fernandes’ assist.
Matheus Cunha came off the bench for a superb cameo and the Man Utd summer signing set up Patrick Dorgu for his side’s second of the clash on Saturday afternoon.
READ MORE: Man Utd insiders have already noticed something exciting about Michael Carrick’s new coaching staff
Lisandro Martinez reacts to Bryan Mbeumo at the end of the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford in 2026 in Manchester, England.
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Rio Ferdinand asked about Man Utd ‘incident’ involving Bryan Mbeumo and Bruno Fernandes against Man City
Michael Carrick kicked off his reign at Old Trafford with a statement result at the weekend, only days after his sensational return to Manchester United.
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Bruno Fernandes was deployed in the No 10 role on the day and Bryan Mbeumo was playing as the lone forward, with striker Benjamin Sesko dropping to the bench.
During his latest podcast episode, one of Rio Ferdinand’s co-hosts brought up an ‘overlooked’ moment involving Mbeumo and Fernandes at Old Trafford.
The votes are in and Bruno Fernandes is our Man Of The Match vs City
An absolute class act!
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Ferdinand was asked for his verdict over Fernandes turning and having a ‘right moan’ at Mbeumo over a pass that could have ‘been firmer’ to the Man Utd forward.
“Moaning is good, man,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“I think moaning is healthy. Arguing is healthy. If it’s done from the right place of just improving and doing better and demanding of each other, it’s needed, man.
“Because you need to… there’s no doubt in my mind that if someone makes a mistake at United at the moment, they’re thinking, ‘Oh, before the manager, Bruno is going to be on to me. He’s going to start moaning and going on in my ear.’”
READ MORE: ‘Genius’ Man Utd moment under Michael Carrick vs Man City that flew under the radar left Ben Foster in complete awe
Rio Ferdinand sends a clear-cut message about Bruno Fernandes amid the exchange involving Man Utd star Bryan Mbeumo
Fernandes’ Man Utd captaincy has drawn criticism for the 31-year-old Portugal international throwing his arms around and being theatrical in his reactions.
But United legend Ferdinand said outright that Fernandes should not be blamed for how he acted towards Red Devils teammate Mbeumo during his exchange.
“Yeah, but it might have been a bad ball, yeah?” Ferdinand asked.
Bruno Fernandes cut City apart – now he needs to do it against Arsenal next weekend!
He was extremely unlucky to have a goal ruled out of his own
Fernandes
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The 47-year-old former Man Utd and England defender added: “But he might be saying, ‘I need you to show before that.
‘I’m having to wait a little bit longer on the ball than I should because you ain’t acknowledging where I am and what I need.
“‘You’ve got to know me, man. I need this.’ Well, listen, let’s move on now because I don’t want to hear no slander on my man, Mr Bruno Fernandes.”
Carrick’s Man Utd side will now visit the Emirates for their final match of January, with the Red Devils facing Premier League leaders Arsenal on late Sunday afternoon.
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