Fans mock Rio Ferdinand after Man Utd legend tips Micky van de Ven to be one of the world's best on live TV right before his disasterclass vs Newcastle

The curse of the commentator has struck Van de Ven with the Dutch defender at fault for Newcastle's three goals. Van de Ven was sat down twice in as many minutes by Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon, with the latter cutting inside to hand Newcastle a two-goal advantage before the break. Isak added a third goal as he raced away from the Spurs man, who had stepped up and left space in behind despite he ex-Dortmund striker being in his own half.

Speaking before the game for TNT Sports, Ferdinand said: "[Van de Ven's] an absolute Rolls Royce of a centre-half and has the chance to be one of the best defenders around."

Fans were quick to slam Ferdinand, whose earlier comments came back to bite him.

Neil Atkinson tweeted: "I like Van de Ven but the reverse Midas Touch of Rio Ferdinand takes absolutely no prisoners."

@brunsama posted on X: "I can’t believe Rio hyped up Van de Ven like that in the buildup, guy is an amateur with pace."

@Bellaamatti felt sorry for the defender: "The fact that Rio Ferdinand was calling him a Rolls Royce defender right before the game 😭 he jinxed the poor guy."

Arsenal fans were out in force to mock Ferdinand and Van de Ven. An account named, Martinelli Madness, said: "He is not a Rolls Royce, he’s a Vauxhall Corsa."

@ArsenalComps had no sympathy for his rival's player: "This Isak vs Van de Ven battle is embarrassing."

At half-time, and following the Van de Ven mistakes, TNT Sports' Lynsey Hipgrave was quick to highlight Ferdinand's mishap. Hipgrave joked that: "As it stands, Newcastle are going above Manchester United in the table. I blame you Rio because you dropped the ‘Rolls Royce’ line before the match when bigging up Micky van de Ven."

Ferdinand replied: “Well sometimes Rolls Royces do have technical issues and they have to go for an MOT and get a once over."

At just 22-years-old, Van de Ven has a long career ahead of him and may well prove Ferdinand right in the end. He will be eager to put Saturday's calamitous showing behind him when they face league leaders Arsenal in their next fixture on 28 April.