I wouldn't say anything on air that I wouldn’t say to their face

RIO FERDINAND has defended his right to speak his mind after the Premier League’s top bosses rounded on the game’s leading TV pundits.

Jurgen Klopp hit out at Gary Neville last week while Jose Mourinho branded the likes of Ian Wright and Jamie Carragher “obsessed” over their assessment of the Marcus Rashford situation.

But Ferdinand (right) insists he is saying nothing on air that he wouldn’t be prepared to say to anyone’s face. The former centre-half said: “I’ve had a couple of people who have called me, who are mates really.

“They’ve said: ‘Did you have to say that?’ My comeback to that is: ‘Would I say it to your face?’ Yes, I would.

“So I’m not concerned. If I feel I’ve made a mistake and I’ve gone too far I hold up my hands. But listen, I’ve said worse to these people to their faces.”

The ex-Manchester United defender, who lifted six Premier League titles and the Champions League with the Reds, will be part of BT Sport’s team for the return of European football’s elite competition.

He said: “I understand why managers are having a go. “They’re trying to protect their players and by having a siege mentality and by saying it’s an us against them mentality.

“It’s trying to create an atmosphere or a reaction. I understand that. It’s mind games, from within and without as well. But they have to understand that pundits, whether they like it or not, are a part of football.

“There’s a running commentary every game, every day.”