'Only comes' - Paul Scholes makes funny dig as Rio Ferdinand gatecrashes Man United vs Barcelona coverage

Paul Scholes joked that Rio Ferdinand “only comes to the big games” when the pundit gatecrashed BT Sport’s pre-match coverage of Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Barcelona at Old Trafford.

United hosted the La Liga leaders after a 2-2 first-leg draw at the Nou Camp last week in what was a great spectacle. Many were expecting a similar game at Old Trafford ahead of kick-off and a number of former stars grabbed a seat for the game.

Ex-United heroes Scholes, Robin van Persie and Owen Hargreaves were on punditry duty for BT on the night but Ferdinand was at the stadium to watch the tie during his day off having covered this week’s Champions League fixtures.

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He made an impromptu appearance on camera pre-match which sparked a jovial exchange of banter between himself and Scholes. Upon Ferdinand entering the panel, Scholes joked: “He [Ferdinand] only comes to big games [at Old Trafford]!”

Ferdinand quickly responded: “I come to the games when I’m not working,” before adding: “I wasn’t meant to be coming on, but you've asked me to come backstage and I came on because you asked!”

When asked for his prediction for the match, Ferdinand confidently said: “2-1 Man United, we’re going through.”

Just moments before, Scholes had been talking about the role the fans had to play during the game. “Yes the [the fans] usually do [have an impact during] these European nights, the atmosphere down the years against your Real Madrids and Barcelonas especially - I can remember,” he said.

United announced earlier on Thursday that no music would be played 15 minutes prior to kick-off to allow supporters to build the atmosphere ahead of a historic night in the Europa League.

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