Rio Ferdinand’s pre and post game comments prove he is still West Ham at heart

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After an illustrious and trophy-laden career with Manchester United it often gets overlooked that Rio Ferdinand was a huge figure at West Ham United.

Rio emerged from the famous West Ham academy and became a Hammers legend.

But as West Ham looked to be building something good with their golden generation the Terry Brown regime started selling off the crown jewels.

Ferdinand’s rich Hammers history

They used to call the old West Stand at Upton Park (sigh) ‘the Rio’ as many believe the club used much of the money from his then world record £18million sale to Leeds to redevelop the stadium.

While it hurt to see Ferdinand move on, many Hammers fans took great pride seeing one of their own reach the very pinnacle of the game with Manchester United.

In his retirement Ferdinand has become an accomplished pundit.

But some West Ham fans have felt Rio focuses too much on the Red Devils and does not give his boyhood Hammers enough air time.

Ferdinand was back in East London on Sunday to watch the game between his two old clubs.

Rio comments prove his love for West Ham

West Ham cruised to a comfortable 2-0 win at the London Stadium.

And the once glorious defender proved he is still West Ham at heart with his comments before and after the game.

“En route to the London Stadium… two clubs forever in my heart!” Ferdinand said on Twitter alongside a collage of him playing for both sides.

“Two very different histories but similar values!!!!

“Flat performance all round for Man United… whole team looked leggy! Rashford injury could pose more problems in the coming weeks!

“Deserved win for West Ham, who were better in all departments from start to finish.”

We couldn’t put it better ourselves Rio

Hammers supporters will be pleased to see Rio waxing lyrical about the club that helped launch his career.

And given his standing at Manchester United it won’t have been easy for him to lay it on the line like that.

But we couldn’t have put it better ourselves. Well said Rio.