Rio Ferdinand has kept it real and dropped a powerful message to former Manchester United and England teammate Paul Scholes over his punditry role.
Paul Scholes stepped down from his TV punditry role with TNT Sports in 2025, but the 51-year-old former midfielder has remained a high-profile media figure.
The Manchester United legend has still been able to voice his cutthroat feelings on his podcast, ‘The Good, The Bad & The Football,’ alongside co-host Nicky Butt.
However, Scholes has found himself in hot water for different comments in recent weeks, including his criticism of ex-United and England teammate Michael Carrick.
READ MORE: Michael Carrick vs Paul Scholes: Rio Ferdinand now addresses suspected ‘Man Utd rivalry’ once and for all
Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand arrive ahead of the Premier League match between Southampton and Manchester United at the St Mary’s Stadium in 2022 in Southampton, England.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
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Rio Ferdinand reveals where he stands on Paul Scholes as a pundit amid his fellow Man Utd legend’s drama with Michael Carrick
Paul Scholes dropped a reactionary response to Michael Carrick and pulled no punches after Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to 10-man Newcastle last week.
Newcastle inflicted United’s first loss under Carrick and Scholes was deeply critical of the Red Devils’ performances in recent weeks under the interim head coach.
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Scholes’ comments around Red Devils legend Carrick had irked even United fans after the Premier League result at St James’ Park last Wednesday evening.
Speaking on his podcast, Rio Ferdinand insisted that the ex-England and United star needs to be aware of the “responsibility” that he has with his words as a pundit.
“The problem is Paul Scholes is one of the most respected and greatest footballers of his generation,” he said on Rio Ferdinand Presents.
“So, when he says it, it ain’t the same as me saying it. I don’t think he said anything even close to as harsh as I would say about half of our players on the team.
“But I’m not Paul Scholes. And being Paul Scholes comes with a responsibility, I think. That’s my opinion, I think.
“Yeah. And I’ve always approached this thinking like, ‘What’s it like being a footballer [now]? Like, how’s that going to be received as a footballer?’
“Like, I’m not here to tear anyone down.”
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What do you think of Scholes comments?
Carrick/Scholes
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Scholes has since walked back on his scathing comments and admitted that he did not intend to make his words feel personal towards Carrick or the Man Utd side.
Ferdinand insisted that he does not think Scholes was trying to bring Carrick down, but he needs to show more accountability for his actions when he does speak.
“I’m not saying Scholesy is tearing anyone down, but I’m just saying I think you’ve got a responsibility to also, like, I understand how powerful my words can be, and I don’t want to be swaying an army of fans with certain comments sometimes,” he added.
That sometimes I can put in a better way, that will be digested in a better way and will hit home.
“It will still hit a point, but it won’t become a divisive comment and it won’t become a toxic comment.
“And I think that’s the, that’s where I stand on [it].”
Man Utd will be back in Premier League action at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon and the Red Devils will host Aston Villa for a 2pm kick-off in the UK.
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