Rio Ferdinand was involved in a heated social media exchange with a Manchester United content creator

Rio Ferdinand has been branded a 'disgrace' by a fan after appearing to 'fat-shame' Manchester United content creator Saeed TV during a heated exchange over the club. The former United defender hit back at the influencer after he called on Ferdinand to criticise the club's ownership, telling him to 'pick up your t**s, ya out of breath typing'.

The row began after Ferdinand shared a picture of himself with Michael Carrick and quoted the United manager, who said: "It is not about me. Manchester United is a lot bigger than any individual, bigger than me, bigger than any player and anyone else who works at the club."

Although it remains unclear who the comments were directed at, some have suggested they could relate to Lisandro Martinez following the defender's post-match criticism of the club's hierarchy and suggestions that the squad lacked sufficient strength.

Make sure you don't miss sport's biggest stories and breaking news by making the Daily Mirror one of your Google preferred sources.

Responding to Ferdinand's post, Saeed wrote: "Stop yapping and call out the owners!"

Ferdinand then fired back, writing: "Stop yapping and pick up ya t**s, ya out a breath typing!"

Saeed replied: "Absolute weirdo. Goes to personal insults because you've been clearly exposed! Says a lot about you as a man!"

He subsequently shared a video in which he addressed the exchange, taking aim at the former England international.

"You are a grown man and this is the response you put on social media," he said. "You have got kids watching you. You are a role model to so many around the world, and yet this is how you conduct yourself around the world.

"It's absolutely embarrassing. You've got people around you who respect you. What is there to respect when you're speaking like this on social media?

"It doesn't affect me because I've been through a lot on social media and above all, I've been racially abused, so I've got thick skin. For me to hold you accountable and for you to resort to that... It tells everything about you."

The exchange has divided fans on social media, with some siding with Saeed while others have defended Ferdinand. Several supporters took to X to share their reactions.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UTD FB PAGE! Latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page

One wrote: "That's poor from Rio' before another added: ' Rio Ferdinand is an absolute disgrace. Imagine being SO blind that you have to resort to this type of nonsense."

Others argued that the influencer had provoked the response. One fan commented: "Can't stand Rio, but if you’re gonna say 'stop yapping' to a grown man, he's well within his rights to insult him."

Another wrote: "He was disrespectful first so got disrespect back," while a further supporter agreed, adding: "'So Saeed is allowed to go at Rio all the time and he can’t hit back, understood."