Liverpool fans are reveling in the irony of Rio Ferdinand’s prediction falling flat, as the expected Qatar takeover of Manchester United has been withdrawn. Ferdinand, a former Manchester United player, had made a prediction about a Qatari consortium taking over the club, and Liverpool fans are now taking the chance to mock him.
Four months ago, Ferdinand had confidently stated that a Qatari-backed consortium was on the brink of completing the takeover of Manchester United. However, recent developments revealed that Qatari businessman Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani had pulled out of the process, leaving the Glazer family in control of the club. Despite the Qatari bid being on the table since May, it failed to reach an agreement with the Glazers.
This takeover talk coincided with Fenway Sports Group’s plans to sell a portion of their ownership in Liverpool. Ultimately, Dynasty Equity, a New York-based firm, made a strategic minority investment in Liverpool at the end of last month, changing the narrative on Merseyside.
While Liverpool fans celebrated the stability of their club, Ferdinand and other observers of Manchester United were hoping for a change in ownership after two decades under the Glazers’ control. Ferdinand had expressed strong belief in the imminent Qatari takeover on his YouTube channel FIVE, suggesting it would be accepted within a matter of days or even hours. However, it appears that Ferdinand’s information may not have been as reliable as he had portrayed.
Liverpool fans wasted no time in playfully reminding Ferdinand of his inaccurate prediction, using social media platforms like Twitter to tease him. Some sarcastically referred to Ferdinand as “the gift that keeps on giving,” while others expressed their “love” for him with a touch of irony. Certain fans questioned Ferdinand’s credibility and suggested that he had made a spectacle of himself once again. The resurfacing video provided Liverpool supporters with an opportunity to taunt their old rival.