Man Utd hero Ferdinand aims dig at Carragher after gritty Everton win

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Rio Ferdinand couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at Jamie Carragher after Cristiano Ronaldo netted his 700th club goal in Manchester United’s 2-1 win at Everton. The seasoned Portuguese veteran came off the bench to net the all-important winner for the visitors after replacing the injured Anthony Martial in the first half at Goodison Park.

Everton were in front through Alex Iwobi’s fifth-minute wonder goal but the response from United was impressive.

The new £86million signing made it three goals from three as he raced through and finished brilliantly past Jordan Pickford.

Ronaldo then made his mark on the game when he collected Casemiro’s through ball and finished excellently with his left foot.

Speaking after the game during BT Sport’s post-match analysis, Ferdinand joked he’d be speaking to Ronaldo in their WhatsApp group to congratulate him on his milestone.

“We mentioned before the game that this was pivotal in terms of being able to propel themselves forward because of what went on against Man City,” Ferdinand said.

“But that man there in the picture [Ronaldo], he always comes and arrives. He would have been disappointed with not playing and he was talk of the town but to come here like he did… 700 goals man.

“Today it was the decisive one, he’s the match winner. If anyone was doubting him, he’s definitely put them in their place. We’ll be chatting in the WhatsApp group later for sure.”

Liverpool legend Carragher recently urged Ferdinand to stop serenading his former team-mate with praise, claiming the 37-year-old asks the ex-defender to stick up for him in the media.

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Carragher tweeted after Ronaldo was left on the bench in the 6-3 derby defeat to Manchester City: “The idea that ETH got it wrong yesterday by not playing Ronaldo is laughable! Ronaldo played at Brentford when it was 4-0 at ht!! It’s not a dig at CR, but [Marcus] Rashford’s pace on the counter-attack as we saw v Arsenal/Liverpool was 100 per cent the best option.”

To which Ferdinand replied: “Carra you still upset he didn’t shake ur hand at Old Trafford? The hardest thing to do in football is score goals…”

Carragher then came firing back, responding: “No I’m delighted it went viral! Rio I know how it works, he’s your mate & you/[Patrice] Evra & the rest are on the group WhatsApp & he asks you to come out & defend him, don’t be his fanboy you’re Rio Ferdinand for FFS!!”

Ferdinand then added: “What WhatsApp group?! Leave off lad…I want this same energy with Roy keane when ya next in the studio ffs, stop getting bullied.”

Joe Cole is adamant Ronaldo is not the problem at United as he praised his determination to keep going after a difficult time this season under Ten Hag.

“No, of course he’s not the problem. He is a professional,” Cole said.

“He’s handled it excellently, from the outside he’s come in.

“You judge a player by what he does on the pitch. He does what Ronaldo does, he stretches defences. He’s scoring goals and making things happen.

“This group of players have the integrity of their professionalism questioned last week in the derby, but in the last five minutes they showed a lot of character to defend like they did.

“Raphael Varane came off the bench and made three important headers. They stuck together, that’s a massive win for Manchester United.”

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