Rio Ferdinand has confirmed he will be absent from the coverage of Manchester United’s Europa League semi-final with Athletic Bilbao after revealing he has been in hospital.
The former United defender and TNT Sports pundit was missing from the broadcaster’s coverage of Arsenal’s Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday night.
And Ferdinand confirmed he was unable to be at the Parc des Princes for Arsenal’s defeat, and won’t be attending Manchester United’s second leg at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
“Gutted to be missing the semi-finals this week on [TNT Sport],” Ferdinand said on social media, alongside a picture of him from a hospital bed. “Wishing the team all the best — I’ll be watching every minute from the iPad.”
Ferdinand did not disclose why he was in hospital, but the official TNT Sports annount replied: “Get well soon, Rio.”
Ferdinand’s commentary of Manchester United’s dramatic victory against Lyon in the Europa League quarter-finals went viral as his former team staged a comeback in extra time.
United will take a 3-0 lead into their semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, as they look to reach the Europa League final and set up a potential meeting with Tottenham on May 21 in the Basque Country.
