Sir Alex Ferguson will name Wayne Rooney the new Manchester United club captain should Gary Neville retire this summer, reports The Sun. The striker, who signed for United in a £25.6 million deal five and a half years ago, has become the side’s talisman since the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Real Madrid. Rooney, 23, has scored 15 goals in 24 games for United this season.
Ferguson’s other options should Neville retire in six months time are Rio Ferdinand, who has occasionally captained the side, and Ryan Giggs who has also often done the job.
In the past Ferguson has also talked up the merits of John O’Shea for the role but with the Irishman not guaranteed a starting spot, Ferdinand more often injured than not and Giggs approaching the end of a glorious playing career, Rooney is in poll position.
Rooney, who seemed mired in controversy during the early part of his career, has now settled into a role as the club’s figurehead.
I won’t mind him captaining the side. But, I think this is not the correct time for him to take Captain’s Armband. As he is already having to much burden on his shoulder in absence of otherwise mediocre team… Moreover, I always felt that MF or a Defender should captain the side. And for me on current form Fletcher fits the bill well. Actually, Vidic would have been best possible option but.. Given the situation around him I don’t he is there with beyond summer in all honesty.. What a shame….
Right now, Rooney is too young, too brash, too rash and loses his cool far too easily. In a couple of years, if he continues to improve (and every year he has!) and learns to curb his temper, then for sure, he would deserve it.
Fletcher talks the talk but does not really walk it. He would have absolutely inspired moments, but he tends generally to stay on the periphery of the games he plays.
I think someone with a staedier nerve and richer experience would fit the bill better.
Rio F is it for me. I remember when everyone was cying for Ronaldo’s head after England’s 06 WC exit courtesy of Portugal, he was one of the few man enough not to try to deflect attentiion from the team’s performance by pegging the blame on the Crybaby. He said the team didn’t do themselves justice. Which was just about right, since obviously, the individual geniuses were there.
I like Carrick too. He’s not a flash player but one who knows the art of graft.
RIO, with out any question
Firstly, I have been saying it about Rooney for years – he’s our best player, leads and defends from the front and is always the one who galvaninses the team.
Yes, he may have previous (with sendings off), but so did Keane, Robson and to an extent, so did Neville. If you look at Cantona’s past, he threw balls at referees called them cheats and even was the first persno to kick racism out of football (or Matthew “Cholmondly Warner” Hardy, as he was known in court).
So, to the argument of Rio. Personallym, no matter HOW good he is, he still held the club to ransom after the club stood by him (and paiid him!!) during his drugs-test ban.
He ALWAYS ducks out of headers or isn’t marking his man too often (ahem MESSI – THE shortest guy on the pitch in the MOST important game of your life, Rio!!!).
Rio is always prone to stupid errors, too and with all his celebrity schmoozing, a word I’ve never used before, Rio must NOT be our next captain.
Personally, I want someone who epitomises United, someone who gets angry if we’re a goal down and as for “trying to do everything by themself” when we’re desperately trying to win a game – I’d rather that than somenone who is laid back – and plays your opponents fastest player in with a deft chip.
BRAT – NOT BRAP!
Get Fergie to appoint Rooney as United captain.
That said, there is a case for Darren Fletcher, Owen Hargreaves (if he can establish huimself REGULARLY) – and Jonny Evans (in a few years)