On Sunday, Manchester United fought back from two goals down on two occasions to rescue a dramatic 4-4 draw against Aston Villa at Old Trafford, and few were happier than former Red Devils icon Rio Ferdinand.

Having celebrated his 48th birthday the previous day, the club legend took to X to share his reaction, writing:

“From this to THIS!!! Carrick time!!!!!!!!!! Birthday weekend just got a tad better in the last 6 minutes."

He also shared a before-and-after picture, showing himself going from sitting with his head in his hands to celebrating wildly.

However, many United supporters and football fans were quick to criticise Ferdinand's reaction, particularly given the club's wider struggles, with some branding him an "embarrassment", "shameful" and a "clown" for celebrating a draw.

Despite the backlash, Ferdinand returned to X today with a clip from his Rio Ferdinand Presents channel, explaining his reaction and defending his right to enjoy the comeback.

"Can’t even celebrate a comeback these days?! Come on man… as a football fan in the moment, allow yourself to get carried away with it! Nothing to do with standards," he wrote.

So, what did the former England international have to say to those who criticised his celebrations?

Rio Ferdinand sends message to critics

Referring to fans who claimed he was ignoring the club’s wider situation, he added: “When you calm down and you go, ‘But look where we are in the league!’ that's terrible. Look at the way things unfolded in the game, you can dissect that.”

“But in the moment, as a football fan, you're allowed to get carried away with it. It's not about the reality in that moment there – that's just emotion and reaction. That's what football does.”

Ferdinand finished the clip by saying: “If you don't know that or don't understand it or don't feel it, you're not a football person.”

While Ferdinand acknowledged the club’s position in the table, 18th in the Premier League heading into the international break, was far from acceptable, he made clear that celebrating a moment of fight and character did not mean ignoring the bigger picture.

For the former United defender, football is about emotion, and he has no intention of apologising for showing it.