Rio Ferdinand has expressed that Manchester United’s trip to Qatar is not a holiday and the squad are working very hard out there on fitness.
Speaking with social media site Bubbly, Ferdinand said:
“Speaking to you from Qatar, where we’re on a mid-season break. Training has been hard the last day or two – great weather, this is the first time I’ve spoken to you since we played against Spurs, a tough game, 1-1. They did to us what we’ve done to teams over the last few years and hit us with a last minute equaliser.
“Disappointing, but I think we’re kind of satisfied with a point at the end, looking back on the whole of the game. Disappointed we didn’t see the game out, but that’s how football goes and you’ve got to take it on the chin sometimes.”
The Manchester United squad have visited Qatar on a four-day training break in the sunshine as temperatures continue to plummet in Manchester and Ferdinand revealed that training has been hard in Qatar, it is not a holiday.
Two-touch football and cricket on the beach are all fun but the training sessions have been long and hard in the sun.
Ferdinand added:
“Forgot to even mention. Two-touch on the beach was beautiful followed by a game of cricket. Unbelievable to be honest with you at this time of year, normally when it’s snowing in the UK, well it is now, and we’re here in Qatar. After training finished – a hard session we done – we had a little bit of spare time of the beach with the boys and it was funny
“That was in-between a big bit of gym in the hotel, where the lads were put through there paces in the afternoon. Anyone who thinks this is a holiday is very, very wrong. This is hard work with a little bit of down-time in between, so don’t get it twisted.”
The Manchester United squad and staff will return on Thursday, with an FA Cup fourth round clash against Fulham at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Watch United training in Qatar here
