Ex-Rangers TV fan favourite calls out Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage over ‘unashamed' Man Utd vs Lyon commentary
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CLIVE TYLDESLEY knows all about club TV channels having worked for Rangers' in-house service during the Covid-19 season.
And the veteran commentator has compared TNT Sports' coverage of the thrilling game at Old Trafford on Thursday to that of Manchester United's own channel - MUTV.
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Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage on TNT Sports
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Clive Tyldesley has given his take on the pair
Credit: PA
Much like all of us Tyldesley, 70, was blown away by the scenes in Manchester as Ruben Amorim's side pulled off an incredible extra-time comeback against 10-men Lyon.
Kobbie Mainoo levelled the tie on aggregate in the dying stages before Harry Maguire pounced with a last-gasp header to book their place in the Europa League semi-final.
Man Utd legend Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage were on duty for the broadcasters and couldn't hide their excitement as both goals went in.
TNT Sports later released a 'commentator cam' that showed lead commentator Darren Fletcher having to try and calm the pair down.
The commentary duo were criticised by fans on social media for their antics.
Now Tyldesley has weighed into it all as he's questioned whether it's what fans want to hear on the TV.
Posting on his Substack blog, he said: "On TNT Sport, lead commentator Darren Fletcher was playing gooseberry to two former United players that were just loving the comeback.
"We know this because Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage could not only be heard but also seen on CommCam.
"So, just in case we were wondering if Rio's voice had temporarily lost the frequency of the commentator's traditional neutrality, we could watch his fist punching the air over and over in delight.
"I got the impression that he maybe knew the hidden camera was there. Could be wrong.
TV Legend Clive Tyldesley in position for his last ever commentary game
"Fletch had been savvy enough to take a deep breath in the wake of United's equaliser – my wonderful mentor Reg Gutteridge used to call it 'thinking time' – before delivering the catchy line 'Kobbie Mainoo is the coolest kid in Old Trafford and Manchester United are level'.
"Either side of him, Rio and Robbie were unashamedly losing their collective cool to welcome us to MUTV.
"'Go and get the winner,' beamed Robbie. And so said every City, Leeds and Liverpool fan watching on too. Not.
"The day of the commentator fan – Gary Neville, Jamie Carragher et al – is here but does it work?"
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