Rio Ferdinand has hit back at football fans who criticised his reaction on social media to Manchester United’s 4-4 draw with Aston Villa.

Former United defender Ferdinand drew criticism when he shared a photo of himself celebrating after the Red Devils’ dramatic comeback on Sunday afternoon.

Michael Carrick’s side had looked down and out at 4-2 in stoppage time, but late strikes from Joshua Zirkzee and Patrick Dorgu meant they earned a point from the game.

They did, though, remain in the relegation zone – however Ferdinand shared two snaps to his X account following full-time.

The first showed the 48-year-old with his head in his hands, and the second saw him celebrating. He captioned the post: ‘From this to THIS!!! Carrick time!!!!!!!!!! Birthday weekend just got tad better in the last 6 minutes…’

Fans though flooded the replies with criticism, questioning why he was ‘celebrating a draw’ and calling him an ’embarrassment’. Ferdinand, though, has now taken the opportunity to respond.

Rio Ferdinand has hit back at fans who criticised his response to Manchester United’s draw with Aston Villa

‘Let me just address something,’ Ferdinand began on Rio Ferdinand Presents. ‘On socials I put a picture up and little comment underneath of me going like that (celebrates).

‘That’s not me celebrating a point against Aston Villa, by the way, it’s me celebrating a moment in a football match. It’s what football does to you. It can take over your body, take over your emotions in a moment. That moment isn’t the big picture.

‘So all of these people saying his standards have dropped and he’s celebrating a draw… I’m not celebrating a draw against Villa, I’m celebrating the moment and the fact we actually came back and showed a bit of character.

‘It’s always about that moment that when you calm down and you go, look where we are in the league, that’s terrible, looks how things unfolded in the game, that needs work. But, in the moment, as a football fan, you are allowed to get carried away with it.

‘That’s what football does. If you don’t know that or don’t understand it or feel it, you’re not a football person, so get out.’

Ferdinand hasn’t shied away from criticising his former team-mate Carrick amid United’s poor run of form that has left them in 18th in the Premier League table.

United came back from behind to draw 4-4 with Villa having looked down and out in the game

His assessment of Sunday’s showing was more tame, with the ex-centre back describing the effort as full of both character and chaos.

He added: ‘It’s like we need a punch on the nose, or two or three, to start playing. But then, the flip side of it, it’s character and ability plays a part in that.

‘In the end, we could have won it. But they are giving us fans grey hairs. It’s crazy football.’