Joey Barton turns on Rio Ferdinand's YouTuber wing-man Ste Howson, calling the Man United influencer a 'Jersey Royal Headed buffoon' as he dredges up his controversial comment on the 1958 Munich air disaster

Joey Barton has continued his online tirade after taking aim at Rio Ferdinand's podcast co-presenter Stephen Howson. 

The former Manchester City man previously shared a series of misogynistic posts on social media on Wednesday that floated the idea that 'women shouldn't be talking with any kind of authority in the men's game'.

He has since come under scrutiny from a number of prominent figures within the sport - including Ferdinand's YouTuber wing-man Howson. 

Howson, who is a regular feature on Ferdinand's 'Vibe with Five', was one of those to comment on Barton's rants, before the former Newcastle midfielder fired back. 

On Wednesday Barton wrote: 'In response to the latest ‘Vibe With Five’ on @YouTube. @rioferdy5 and @fara_williams47 look forward to the discussion. Much respect for both.

'Who is that big spud head? Putting himself in the Tyldesley category? What’s he talking about? The big potato. The Big Spud'.

After further posts from Barton, Howson took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to say: 'I’ve been to war, 3 times, played academy level Rugby League, fought MMA but couldn’t play Xi a side football? 

'Okay… Honestly. It’s amazing you can’t find a job on telly with insight like this.'

Then, on Thursday morning, Barton fired back with a brutal response. He said: 'Stephen. Big Potato. @MrStephenHowson What this all about…?

'@rioferdy5 surely you can’t be hanging about with clowns like this? Making a mockery of @ManUtd most’s awful air disaster to insult a former CEO.

'Clueless, Jersey Royal Headed buffoon'.

Accompanying the post, was a link to Mail Sport's report on how the podcaster apologised for on-air rant claiming Ed Woodward's Old Trafford reign 'was worse' for the club than the Munich air crash.

Howson said that the 50-year-old's decisions have set United back further than the 'Busby Babes' crash - before looking to clarify the intention behind his words after facing a backlash. 

'I think where United are at the moment, f*** it I'm gonna say it on camera,' he said. 'I think Woodward was worse for us than Munich.

'Obviously I'm not comparing people passing away, but I'm saying 10 years post-Munich we was European champions. Ten years of Woodward, we're in the s***.

'I'm absolutely not taking anything away from the people who have lost their lives in Munich, but in terms of something that's f***ing happened, Woodward has been f***ing worse for the football club and where we've progressed in that time.'

A clip from Howson's full remarks was shared on social media, leading to him apologising and admitting he should have better conveyed what he meant. 

Initially responding to the anger, he said: 'I can apologise on the delivery, for sure - but this wasn't a scripted point - never is. It's a podcast. 

'It was 40-odd mins into a chat. I clarified at the time what I meant. Most people have understood. But Twitter will look for outrage like it always does.' 

But later on, sharing the video from the episode, he tweeted: 'I definitely should have worded this better & apologise for any offence I've caused'.

The online clash between Howson and Barton comes a week after Barton doubled down on his controversial criticism of female broadcasters in men's football in an incendiary appearance on Piers Morgan's talkshow on Thursday evening. 

'Come on. Let's be serious,' Barton added, before suggesting: 'Any man who listens to Women commentary or co-comms needs their heads testing...'

Barton, 41, refused to back down and continued with posts that derided City hiring a woman to present social media coverage, and called out the 'woke' decisions he believes are made by broadcasters over the figures featured on their coverage. 

'TV must be going out the window if you get a double dose of XX on the comms team for your next big match,' the 41-year-old added. 

Barton showed little sign of a change of heart with his appearance on Piers Morgan: Uncensored after being offered an opportunity to air his views by his former Question Time sparring partner.