Rio Ferdinand has left Liverpool fans bemused by claiming that his old club Manchester United "set the benchmark" after their latest Premier league victory.
United extended their unbeaten run the 19 after a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last night.
And while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men are now closing in on a Champions League place, they still sit a massive 31 points behind Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool, who won the Premier League title with seven games to go.
Speaking after the game, Ferdinand said: "Listen, Man United seem like a team that can score at any given moment.
"Other teams will be watching that and think that if they lose the ball anywhere on the pitch, within seconds it's in the back of the net.
"At the moment I'm thinking that this team, is there any other team that goes through the gears as quick as this team? They're a dangerous team.
"They are actually putting the benchmark down to other teams now."
The comments prompted a strong response from Liverpool fans on social media, who were quick to point out the gap between the two sides.
And while Manchester United have improved since Bruno Fernandes arrived at the club in January, they have still scored 14 fewer goals than the Premier League champions.
One fan said: "Still 5th. Over 30 points behind the Champions nice benchmark."
Another remarked: "What an absolutely ridiculous thing to say, look where they are in the league, a million miles from Liverpool and City, and what benchmark are they putting down?"
And one supporter said: "31 pts behind ..what a benchmark."
Ferdinand, who played 455 times for United, is clearly excited by his old club's revival now that Ole is at the wheel..
