Rio Ferdinand is seen for the first time since walking out of a live Champions League broadcast mid-match, as he lands in Istanbul to watch Man United
- Rio Ferdinand mysteriously left TNT Sports’ Champions League coverage
- He has now been seen in Istanbul ahead of Manchester United’s game tonight
- Was Garnacho’s overhead kick REALLY the greatest ever? Listen to the debate on It’s All Kicking Off
Rio Ferdinand has been seen for the first time since leaving TNT Sports’ Champions League broadcast of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-German mid game.
Mail Sport revealed that the former England captain was taken ill during the game in Paris and returned to his hotel to rest.
The ex-Manchester United star though felt better this morning and declared himself fit for more Champions League duty this evening.
He has now been seen for the first time since last night’s game, after arriving in Istanbul for the Red Devils’ vital Champions League clash against Galatasaray.
Ferdinand shared a video of him and TNT Sports commentator Darren Fletcher in the airport, alongside a message that read: ‘Exclusive: Don’t panic people… I’m alive & kicking ready for tonight’s action in Istanbul! UNITED UNITED.’
Rio Ferdinand has been seen for the first time since he left a broadcast mid-match last night
Ferdinand (second left) was part of the broadcast team for Newcastle’s trip to Paris Saint-Germain but was forced to leave after he was taken ill during the game
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Riding on a luggage carrier inside the airport in Istanbul, Ferdinand appeared to be in jovial spirits.
He said: ‘This is the way to travel man, when you come with me, Fletch, this is what happens.’
The pair then shared a laugh before Ferdinand revealed that he almost didn’t take the flight from Paris to Istanbul.
He said: ‘Almost didn’t make this flight, I almost didn’t make this game, but it’s Man United in Istanbul. I had to be here with this man.’
Fletcher laughed at Ferdinand’s comment before adding: ‘He’s well, he’s back, we’re all set.’
TNT did not explain Ferdinand’s surprise absence after last night’s game other than a short statement from presenter Laura Woods, who put his departure down to unforeseen circumstances.
‘Rio would be here to chat about Manchester United now, but we had to let him go [due to] unforeseen circumstances,’ Woods told viewers. ‘He is OK. Don’t worry.’
Ally McCoist covered for Ferdinand in the post-match show, as the Scot hot-footed it down from commentary to join Woods and Jenas.
Ferdinand revealed that he ‘almost missed’ the flight from Paris to Istanbul this morning
Manchester United need a positive result against Galatasaray tonight as they sit bottom of their Champions League group, with their final game coming against Bayern Munich
It was left to the trio to discuss a breathtaking finale in Ferdinand’s absence, as Newcastle narrowly missed out on a famous victory after a controversial late penalty.
Ferdinand will be eager to see his old side do well tonight, with Manchester United currently in a fight to make it out of the group stage.
They are bottom of their group, one point behind Copenhagen and Galatasaray, and they face the Turkish side tonight in what will surely be a hostile atmosphere.
If they fail to win tonight, their chances of qualification will look slim, as they host Bayern Munich in the final group stage came in two weeks.
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