Rio Ferdinand lauds newly-crowned champions Manchester City

Rio Ferdinand has lavished praise on a triumphant Manchester City after the rampant champions secured yet another Premier League title.

City’s crown, their third in four years, was officially sealed after Manchester United, who sit in second place, were defeated 2-1 by Leicester at Old Trafford.

And as the celebrations begun at the Etihad, Ferdinand didn’t hold back in lauding City’s achievements and singling out Pep Guardiola for his influence.

‘You’ve got to give credit when it’s due,’ Ferdinand said on BT Sport. ‘I think Pep Guardiola and his men have bounced back. 

‘I thought Liverpool the season before this were fantastic. Everyone thought, ‘who’s going to be able to catch them?’ 

‘Pep went back to the drawing board, fixed things up at Man City and they came out flying. They’ve taken the league by storm. Deserved champions, definitely.’

City’s glory has been commended across the football world and their latest taste of glory is a stark contrast to their stuttering start to the season.

Boss Guardiola publicly admitted to not enjoying the displays from his team – but, after his superb work on the training field, City were able to burst back into form.

‘Pep, I love him,’ Ferdinand added. ‘I think he’s a maverick… this season especially, with what’s he’s done, tactically the way he’s changed things. 

‘He thickened up the midfield. He’s got more bodies in and played with a false No 9. 

‘He got more bodies in midfield to control the pace of the game, and not make it like a basketball game, up and down. 

‘It was more about possession and strangling the life out of teams. They’ve dominated the league this year.’

More to follow.