Rio Ferdinand has revealed the advice he gave to a group of Manchester United youngsters following their heavy defeat to neighbours Manchester City.

The former United defender returned to his former club last month while filming an advertisement and took some time out to briefly speak to the club’s under-15s side.

The youngsters, coached by former Crewe Alexandra and Altrincham striker Colin Little, had recently lost 9-0 to their local rivals in a Floodlit Cup match.

Ferdinand paid a visit to the under-15s and, as revealed a video for his Five Magazine project, asked: “You got beat by City the other day didn’t you?”

“I remember getting beat at Old Trafford 6-1 by City,” he continued. “You’ve got to find something within yourself.

“You’ve got to push your chest out and make sure that next time you play them, you deal with them. You have to understand that the badge, Man United, it’s not a joke. When you win, enjoy it, but when you lose, that’s when you’ve got to learn at your age.

Manchester United transfer targets Show all 6 1 /6 Manchester United transfer targets Manchester United transfer targets Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid) The 21-year-old Uruguayan has already played 21 times for his country and has been touted as a future world-class centre-back. Currently on the books of Atletico Madrid, Gimenez is not a regular and a move in January for first-team football would surely appeal to him. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Victor Lindelof (Benfica) The most recent player to be linked with the Red Devils, Lindelof is a 22-year-old centre-back currently plying his trade at Benfica. The Swedish international has been in fine form this season and could be tempted by a move to England in January. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Mesut Özil (Arsenal) The German midfielder has emerged as a shock transfer target for the Red Devils as the Arsenal playmaker demands a substantial increase to his current £140,000 per week contract in North London. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Antoine Griezmann (Atletico Madrid) The French forward had a brilliant season in Spain last year and was top scorer and Player of the Tournament as he helped his country to the final of Euro 2016. Atletico Madrid would certainly not let him go on the cheap however. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Yannick Carrasco (Atletico Madrid) The third Atletico Madrid player reported to be on Mourinho’s wish-list, Carrasco is one of Belgium’s new generation of talent and, at just 23 years of age, has a long career ahead of him. The Belgian is an attacking midfielder who has added a ruthlessness in front of goal to his repertoire this season, contributing nine goals in all competitions. Getty Manchester United transfer targets Bruma (Galatasaray) Galatasaray’s fleet-footed winger is rated at around £21.5m and has impressed in the Turkish league this season, receiving five Man of the Match awards in just ten starts so far. Bruma is a fantastic dribbler who would certainly provide competition for places on the left wing. Getty

“I bet you come [sic] in here today thinking about that game some of you, no? All of you should have been.

“If you ain’t embarrassed, if you ain’t upset, if you ain’t hurt, then you shouldn’t be at the football club, because it doesn’t mean enough to you.

“It should hurt, it’s good when it hurts. Then what do you do after? You train hard,” he added, before making his exit.



Ferdinand joined United from Leeds United in 2002 for £29.1m, becoming the world’s most expensive defender for the second time in his career.