Manchester City fans hit back at Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand amid criticism of Etihad atmosphere

The criticism of Manchester City fans by Paul Scholes and Rio Ferdinand was a "disgrace", a prominent supporter of the club has said.

During and after Manchester City's 1-1 draw with Roma in the Champions League, it was noted that there were empty seats and a lack of atmosphere within the Etihad Stadium.

Among those pointing it out were former Manchester United duo Ferdinand and Scholes.

The former took to Twitter during the match, suggesting Manchester City fans would rather watch Gordon Ramsey's new TV show.

Scholes then said on ITV that there was not the "special feeling" of a European night being created. It is a point Scholes has raised in his column for The Independent, in which he said: "It feels to me that some of the City supporters are still getting used to the level of footballers they are watching and the quality of the opposition coming to their ground."

However, Manchester City fans have hit back, pointing towards the high ticket prices for Champions League games.

Andy Savage, who runs the website MCFCForum.com, said: "I took Rio Ferdinand to task on Twitter. He was taking the mickey out of the empty seats at the Etihad last night.

"He is living in his own bubble there. Some people are living hand to mouth and don't know where the next penny is coming from, and he's criticising them for not filling the stadium when the tickets are £35-plus.

"He was an absolute disgrace on Twitter, as was Scholes on ITV. They are multi-millionaires. They don't give the man on the street a second thought, how much it is costing people.

"The cost of living is going up, so many people are out of work. Football is not everyone's priority, like it used to be. People just can't afford, over the course of the month, to pay for tickets three, four or five times.

"I took Ferdinand to task, and not because he is an ex-United player. He's got an autobiography coming out. I'm sure he's not giving that away. I'm sure he's not joined QPR for the love it. He'll be getting a substantial salary.

"Perhaps it will hit home next year if QPR have to put their prices up and they won't be able to fill their stadium. It really wound me up last night."

David Mooney, who is a producer and host of the popular Blue Moon fans podcast, accepted that the atmosphere was underwhelming but felt Scholes' criticism was unfair.

Mooney, 26, of Manchester, said: "I think it was very flat and I can see what they are getting at.

"But this debate is coming from the wrong side of the fence. We have got multi-millionaires talking about empty seats in stands when ticket prices are £40 and £50.

"You can understand people who have paid for their season ticket saying this is one of the games they are going to miss to make it affordable for the year.

"It strikes me as a crass thing for people who have got plenty of millions in the bank to be able to do whatever they like to be dictating to other people what they should be doing."