Rio Ferdinand has now revealed that his perspective has changed on one first-team Manchester United star after his face-to-face encounter with the player ahead of the season.
The 46-year-old appeared on talkSPORT and spoke to presenters Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist after his interview with Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard made the rounds.
Steven Gerrard is the latest high-profile figure to appear on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel since the Manchester United legend left TNT Sports.
Ex-United defender Ferdinand had been a longstanding pundit for TNT Sports dating all the way back to when it was operating as BT Sport for its club football coverage.
The ex-England international stepped down from his role at the broadcaster after the Champions League final between Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan in May.
Photo by Piermarco Tacca – UEFA/UEFA via Getty ImagesRio Ferdinand speaks out on Harry Maguire after interviewing the former Man Utd captain
Rio Ferdinand’s full focus for his media duties in football has now been predominantly dedicated to his ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’ podcast brand.
The United legend crossed paths with England and Red Devils defender Harry Maguire in August before the start of the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Speaking to Alan Brazil and Ally McCoist, Ferdinand insisted that he has now seen the 32-year-old former United captain in a “different light” after his interview.
However, the ex-TNT Sports pundit admitted that he had felt there was an “issue” between him and Harry Maguire before he sat down with him for a one-on-one chat.
“I saw Harry Maguire in a totally different light,” Ferdinand said.
“Me and Harry Maguire hadn’t spoken, hadn’t been around each other. I felt there was an issue. I reach out to him.
“I get an interview with him earlier in the season with Harry and we sit there and we have a great chat.”
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Rio Ferdinand compares his experience with Harry Maguire to two of his former Man Utd teammates
Ferdinand has had encounters with his past United and England teammates during his podcasts, including Cristiano Ronaldo, Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen.
The ex-United and England centre-back said that Wayne Rooney and Michael Owen, much like Harry Maguire, were both looked at differently when he interviewed them.
“The same with Wazza, Michael Owen was seen in a different light,” he said.
“People look around to me, ‘I didn’t know Michael was like that. I didn’t know he felt like that.’
“He was so, [he] had such strong views. But again, like just being able to put them in a position where they go, you know what?
“I can relax my shoulders and just let off a little bit. Here is the best-case scenario for myself and the podcast.”
United beat Sunderland 2-0 in their last Premier League match ahead of the October international break, with the Red Devils now back in action against Liverpool on the 19th.