Rio Ferdinand spots Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford incident at Man United training

Rio Ferdinand was surprised to see Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes enjoying themselves during extra training drills at Manchester United.

Former Red Devils defender Ferdinand visited Carrington last week to interview manager Erik ten Hag. His awkward reunion with the Dutchman came just hours after his interview with Cristiano Ronaldo dropped, where Ronaldo had criticised Ten Hag’s mentality and lack of ambition.

Ferdinand was still warmly welcomed by Ten Hag and the squad, who he was surprised to see were in good spirits even after losing two of their three league games up to that point. And the legendary defender was pleasantly stunned after spotting Rashford and captain Fernandes laughing and joking while performing extra shooting drills.

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Rashford's positivity in training came as a surprise given how frustrated he has looked during matches and off the field over the past year. But Ten Hag assured Ferdinand that this happy side of Rashford is what he usually showcases away from the cameras.

The pundit said on Rio Ferdinand Presents: "I liked what I saw when I walked in there the other day, I have to say. The atmosphere felt as clean and pure as I've seen it for a while. Smiles everywhere.

"I was walking and talking with Erik ten Hag doing an interview, training had finished, and I walked around. I was looking at the pitch and two players were on there doing extras - shooting. Cracking up, laughing, doing a competition. Bruno and Marcus Rashford.

"It warmed my heart, you know, because we used to talk so much about Rashford not looking happy. I've been one of the main voices saying that we need to see a happy, smiling, joyful Marcus to get the best out of him.

"I stopped the interview and said 'look Marcus is laughing, he looks happy man! That ain't the Marcus I keep seeing on the weekends', and the manager said 'This is the Marcus we see here everyday'."

The United squad had just returned from international duty when Ferdinand visited Carrington, their last result being a woeful 3-0 defeat at home against Liverpool. They managed to respond with a 3-0 win of their own on Saturday against Southampton, with Rashford ending a 13-game goal drought with a wonderful solo effort.

The desperately needed win means United have won two and lost two now in the league. That leaves Ten Hag’s side down in 10th place, having recorded the club’s worst ever Premier League finish to date last season by coming eighth.