Rio Ferdinand Says He Would Have Told Cristiano Ronaldo To 'Sit Down' After Touchline Antics

Rio Ferdinand says he would have told Cristiano Ronaldo to "sit down" when the Manchester United forward started to become vocal on the touchline during their Champions League defeat to Young Boys on Tuesday night.

In the second half of their Group F clash - shortly after Ronaldo was replaced by Jesse Lingard - the five-time Ballon d'Or winner was pictured making gestures towards United players alongside manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and teammate Bruno Fernandes.

It was a scene that brought about plenty of discussion after the full-time whistle, including comments from BT Sport pundits Peter Crouch and Rio Ferdinand, who said: "If I'm the manager, I've got to be honest, I'm telling him to sit down."

Crouch agreed with fellow pundit Ferdinand, although he did admit that it might be difficult to tell Ronaldo otherwise. "If I'm sitting on the bench as well I'm telling him to sit down," the former Spurs striker said. "But he is Cristiano, we'll let him do it.'

Ferdinand later defended his former Manchester United teammate."I get it. You know, with Cristiano people go, "Oh it's bravado, it's for the fans". He's just a passionate guy. He wants to win, he's desperate to win, and he can't hold it in.

"If that means he has to go up there and stand next to the manager, shouting instructions etcetera, so be it.

"When it's someone of his standing and stature in the game how can you argue with it?"

It was a tough night for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his team. Despite going 1-0 up through a Cristiano Ronaldo goal in the 13th minute, United full-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka was given a red card in the first half after a high tackle.

Things quickly went downhill from there. Moumi Ngamaleu, who impressed throughout, equalised after the hour mark before a stray Jesse Lingard backpass in injury time allowed Theoson Siebatcheu to snatch all three points.

After the full-time whistle, Solskjaer said his side will learn from their mistakes in the Group F tie.

"We're humans, every footballer makes mistakes," he said. "With Jesse, no footballer likes making mistakes but it's obviously part and parcel of the game.

"We'll learn from it, he'll learn from it. He'll pick himself up and be ready to go on Sunday against West Ham."

Featured Image Credit: Samuel Luckhurst/Twitter - PA

Topics: Manchester United, Rio Ferdinand, Champions League, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Cristiano Ronaldo

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_