- Rio Ferdinand has been struggling with a sickness bug and went to hospital
- He will not be part of TNT Sports’ commentary team at Old Trafford
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Rio Ferdinand will not be part of TNT Sports’ coverage team for Manchester United‘s Europa League semi-final at Old Trafford on Thursday night after he was hospitalised by a sickness bug.
Mail Sport understands the bug also affected other members of Ferdinand’s family, and he will now be kept away from punditry duties as he continues his recovery from illness.
Ferdinand posted a picture of himself giving a thumbs-up from a hospital bed on Wednesday evening saying he was ‘gutted’ to be missing this week’s European semi-finals.
‘Wishing the team all the best – I’ll be watching every minute from the iPad!’ he wrote on his official X account.
TNT responded with a message on their own X account which read: ‘Get well soon, Rio.’
He later posted about the penalty award against Arsenal in their Champions League semi-final defeat to PSG, describing it as a ‘horrendous decision’.
Rio Ferdinand watched Arsenal’s defeat by PSG on Wednesday night from his hospital bed
He will not be part of TNT Sports’ coverage of Man United’s game tonight as he continues to recover from a sickness bug
Ferdinand received some criticism for his commentary during last month’s quarter-final as United pulled off a late comeback against Lyon
PSG were awarded the spot-kick for a handball by Myles Lewis-Skelly following a VAR review, but Ferdinand was adamant it should not have been given.
Vitinha went on to have his penalty saved by David Raya, but PSG still did enough to book their place in the final where they will face Inter Milan later this month.
Ferdinand has been a regular part of TNT’s European coverage in recent years, and has often been a co-commentator for United’s games.
The former defender received some criticism for his commentary during United’s dramatic quarter-final comeback win against Lyon last month, with legendary broadcaster Clive Tyldesley claiming Ferdinand and Robbie Savage celebrating the Red Devils’ late goals made the coverage similar to a fan channel.
But Ferdinand was back on commentary for last week’s semi-final first leg in Bilbao alongside Darren Fletcher and Savage as United enjoyed a dream night.
United lead the tie against Bilbao 3-0 heading into the home leg, making them the overwhelming favourites to secure a place in the May 21 final, which will be held in Bilbao.
TNT Sports and Ferdinand’s representatives have been approached for comment.
