Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand is attempting to discover if his ex-Red Devils team-mate Robin van Persie will be missing from the Holland side in tonight’s World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
The 30-year-old is a fitness doubt for the eagerly-anticipated last-four showdown as he has been suffering from a stomach bug this week.
He is a key member of Louis van Gaal’s first-team set-up and both men – who will link up at club level when the head coach officially takes over at United – are hoping the virus passes in time.
Ex-England international Ferdinand did not realise his friend was in danger of missing the game until he started to discuss tonight’s fixture on social media site Twitter.
He said: “I want to see the fright when (Arjen) Robben starts running at Argentina’s defenders and when RVP starts chopping them disguised shots and passes!”
Many of his 5.6million followers told him about van Persie, to which he replied: “Loads saying RVP out? I’m making a call!”
Ferdinand then seemingly tried to contact the striker, before adding: “I swear RVP just pied my call. I’m getting showered and going to the hotel to see LVG, I need to know for my prediction process!”
The winners of tonight’s game will face Germany in Sunday’s final.