Rio Ferdinand turns choir conductor as former England defender gears up for Manchester derby with fans in China

  • Rio Ferdinand is taking time out from his BT Sport pundit role in China  
  • Former Manchester United defender is visibly excited about the derby 
  • Ferdinand has been drumming up support for United on public transport
  • Manchester City face their neighbours in the Premier League on Sunday 

By Ben Grounds For Mailonline

Published: 06:27 EST, 23 October 2015 | Updated: 07:01 EST, 23 October 2015

Rio Ferdinand has posted a hilarious video of him conducting and singing with a set of Manchester United supporters in China ahead of this weekend's Manchester derby.

The former United defender, whose #5 magazine and clothing range launched a Chinese version last year, orchestrates his merry band of Red Devils supporters on a trip to Asia following a busy start to the season with his commitments as a pundit for BT Sport.

It is unknown whether Ferdinand is out in China to help expand his business venture, or indeed whether he is on a bus or train, but what is for certain is that the Manchester derby buzz is stretching across the globe ahead of the Premier League top-of-the-table clash at Od Trafford on Sunday.

Rio Ferdinand poses alongside the group of enthusiastic Manchester United supporters travelling in China

Rio Ferdinand poses alongside the group of enthusiastic Manchester United supporters travelling in China

The traditional anthem 'Glory, Glory Man United' was sang to the rooftops by the band of merry Chinese fans

An impassioned rendition of 'Glory, Glory Man United' is sung by a dozen selfie-stick holding Chinese fans crammed into the small vicinity, with Ferdinand leading the ensemble with gusto.

The 36-year-old has a reputation for appreciating music, having helped create the record label White Chalk Music in 2005, later collaborating with Nia Jai, an artist signed up by the former footballer, on one of her albums.

On the track, the artist raps: 'This is Rio Ferdinand. Make sure you do not sleep on Nia Jai, White Chalk's first signing. This girl spits out fire.'

But Ferdinand's Twitter post on Friday is altogether less bellicose, as the former West Ham, Leeds and QPR defender captures the mood of United's well-assembled choir gearing up for a massive game against their not-so-near neighbours. 

Ferdinand has excelled in his role as a pundit for BT Sport, the home of Champions League football

Ferdinand has excelled in his role as a pundit for BT Sport, the home of Champions League football

Ferdinand has been joined by Steven Gerrard, Gary Lineker and Glenn Hoddle for the channel's coverage

Ferdinand has been joined by Steven Gerrard, Gary Lineker and Glenn Hoddle for the channel's coverage

Ferdinand travelled to China the day after analysing Louis van Gaal's 1-1 draw against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League group stage game on Wednesday night. 

The former England defender said United's first-half performance against the Russian side had not been good enough, but Anthony Martial atoned for his handball which led to the hosts taking the lead, scoring his side's equaliser after the interval. 

'We were squirming in the studio at the way United were playing,' Ferdinand said on BT Sport. 'It was slow, it was pedestrian and there was no real thrust in the team. In the second-half, there were runners off the ball a bit more, they put people in the box and they got their just rewards.' 

The former England defender (right) enjoyed many scraps with Manchester City during his playing career

The former England defender (right) enjoyed many scraps with Manchester City during his playing career

Ferdinand has never shied away from the spotlight

Ferdinand has never shied away from the spotlight

Ferdinand will play alongside John Terry and Ashley Cole for Sir Alex Ferguson and David Beckham's Great Britain team in a charity match at Old Trafford next month.

Terry received a four-match suspension after being found guilty of using abusive language towards Ferdinand's brother Anton during a Premier League game in October 2011. 

Ferdinand admitted in May that even though the pair 'no longer get on', he still admires Terry for footballing reasons.

'When we were England centre-backs, myself and John had an excellent defensive record together. I had a similar relationship with Sol Campbell for England and Nemanja Vidic at Manchester United,' Ferdinand said.

'There's a reason why John and Nemanja have the type of noses they do and that's because they like to attack every ball.' 

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