Aug 08
Who should succeed Neville as captain?
Ryan Giggs is the usual deputy, but with both him, Gary and EVDS getting older there’s a gap opening up at the top of the United hierarchy.
Simply put, we need a new captain - and more importantly, we need to groom this new captain to make sure he’s ready to take over the mantle next season, or whenever Nev and Giggsy retire, and to fill in when those two are out through injury.
There are a few requirements:
- The future captain should have his long-term future secured with Manchester United
- He should be a first-teamer - or a potential first-teamer
- Preferably English, although for an extraordinary player exceptions can be made
So go ahead, make a case for your choice as captain in the comments below.
A quick word on some of the top candidates:
Rio Ferdinand: Good to play till South Africa 2010, and we might see more of him as captain this season - however, he’s not a long-term solution as he’ll get 2 years max as captain. A solid choice IMO as he is one of the most respected members of the Man Utd squad, and way ahead of other defenders.
Wayne Rooney: Perhaps the most obvious candidate for captain. He’s been made captain several times by Ferguson in the past and of all the strikers in the squad, has been with United for some time and in a couple of years will have the maturity to lead Manchester United.
Cristiano Ronaldo: As much as I like him, I wouldn’t have him captain United. For starters, it’s almost certain that Ronaldo will leave Man Utd before either Rio or Rooney (those two are the blood and sweat of United, Ronaldo is just the prized crown jewel), and compared to Rooney, I’m not sure he has the respect (admiration is different).
Other players, such as Hargreaves, Carrick, Vidic, Gibson and Tevez also came to mind. However, Hargreaves is too new, Carrick and Vidic are too quiet, Gibson is too young and we haven’t even signed Tevez yet!
Let me know what you guys think.
Related items from Red Rants:
August 8th, 2007 at 16:20
It all depends on how long giggs and gary stay on with us, if they are here until the end of the next season then i feel rooney will have enough experience to become captain. IMO he is the type of caracter that can only get better with the responsibility, OH had he come to the club a year ago would have been at the club long enough to be captain but he hasnt been at United long enough. Ronaldo, no!
August 8th, 2007 at 16:22
Considering G Neville has another few yrs left in him, I would
assume Rio would take over after him. If say Nev retires in 2 yrs
Rio would be about 31 a bit too old for a long term captain,
although the way he plays and the fitness of players nowadays Rio
will probably play until he’s 35. If so I’d have no probs making
him capt after Nev.
Alternatively I’d give it to Hargreaves in a couple of yrs if he
matures and plays the way we hope he would make a good captain. By
then he should be comfortable barking at the other players.
August 8th, 2007 at 16:23
Rio Ferdinand or Vidic
August 8th, 2007 at 16:26
I’m really suprised no one has mentioned Scholes.
August 8th, 2007 at 16:27
I say make Gabby Heinze captain. OK, so that was a bad joke. Seriously though, the obvious choice here is none other than Wayne Rooney. His enthusiasm, work ethic, commitment to the club, passion for the game and his leadership all lend well to the selection. Ronaldo is fantastic but he is a foreigner and I really feel that in United’s case and because of their fan base, choosing an English born lad is essential for tradition although not mandatory. After all, Cantona would have made a great captain as would have Schmeichel. They had the personality and temperament for the position and two greater leaders other than them and Roy Keane would be hard to to find. A total command of the english language is essential. Ronaldo is not there yet. I also believe that making Rooney captain will raise his game because the honor of such a choice will spark his passion and commitment even more. Wayne loves to lead by example.
August 8th, 2007 at 16:31
I can narrow it down to 3 options:
1. Wayne Rooney
2. Wayne Rooney
3. Wayne Rooney
Bit of a snub to Rio but I think he’s laid back enough not to take it personally.
August 8th, 2007 at 16:33
Rio deffinately.
He’s already an extremely important part of our defence as they struggle greatly without him.
He’s not afraid to shout at the lads, always encouraging young players and is English obviously.
August 8th, 2007 at 16:41
Rooney’s the obvious one. Owen Hargreaves could be an alternative. Rooney as captain and Hargreaves as vice captain.
August 8th, 2007 at 17:20
I would give it to Ronaldo.
August 8th, 2007 at 17:22
Got to be Rio. Rooney has the passion
but is still young. Ronaldo not
the leadership type.
August 8th, 2007 at 17:25
Grognard:
Eric Cantona WAS captain, in between Steve Bruce and Roy Keane ( the 96-97 season).
August 8th, 2007 at 17:26
RIO ferdinand all the way. he is made 4 da job. as ahmed says he is respected, mature (only 28 or so) and has the command and vioce in the dressing room. rooney is too young 4 the job , even in 2 years tym, wht hell be 24 25, let him flourish to the talent we no he could b. added responsibility will hinder this. we dont want an arsenal situation wer, 1 player was their everyfing, ie captain, star player, took penalties,coeners,free kicks (henry). giv da arm band to rio, with rooney once at his peak of maturiy next in line
August 8th, 2007 at 17:30
So u read our comments in the rio post huh ahmed
Well i’ll still say thinking practically rio will become after gary retires and my personal choice will be ROONEY
But i still feel until gary/gigs/scholes/ole retire completely no one else will lift the trophy first.
And its not cricket that the captain has to deciede formations and all on the field, more or less work is done by the gaffer but yes the way the blood is pushed up the body the adrenaline flowing thingy is done by the captain and u might remember keano against yuventus and gerrad against milan and i wish we bring that passion back soon through rooney but well most of the goal scoring celebrations rio shouts loud so he does pump up the players good
August 8th, 2007 at 17:31
Wazza has to be the best, however i will like to see how Carrick and Hargreaves get on this season.
Rio came into my mind but he makes mistakes somtimes and i dont think he is captin material.
BUT MY FAVORITE CHOICE IS PARK….Already captained us once
August 8th, 2007 at 17:38
rooney all the way. i think hes the ultimate united player. he has all the qualities needed to lead.
never backward when on the football pitch. even rio has said hes the most confident player on the
football pitch hes ever seen. a quality a captain must have. i think football clubs should have
something called a leadership group, this is made up of not only captains, vice captains, but
also a selection of other experienced players aswell as a couple of younger players that the club
wants to groom for leadership roles in the future. the total of the group is around 5. its a
system that is used really effectively in the AFL (the Australian football league), australias
national sport. not sure if its used in football in england. but its a perfect way to begin to
develop both on field and off field leadership skills in younger players making transitions easier.
August 8th, 2007 at 18:44
Definitely Rooney IMHO, since he epitomises United and would die for the club. Forget all this talk of him being too young: Torres captained At.Madrid at 19, Reo-Coker and Bobby Moore for West Ham at 21; if you’re good enough, you’re old enough! Not sure about Rio’s commitment to the cause, though he certainly would make an able deputy. Hargo as third choice. Scholes = way too quiet. He is notoriously reluctant to give inteviews and enjoy publicity etc. not forgetting he is the wrong side of 30 and will retire in a season or two.
August 8th, 2007 at 18:45
It’s hard to pick a captain now because everything could change in the 2 years Neville/Giggs/Scholes will probably be rotating the captaincy. In 2 years I think it should be Rooney or Ronaldo, Ronaldo would make a good captain if he becomes the mentor to Nani and Anderson. And plus by then Queiroz will probably be the manager so Ronaldo will be his no.1 choice. Making him captain may persuade him to stay as well. Rooney would be a good captain for all the reasons listed in other people’s comments so I wont repeat them. I don’t think Rio would make a good captain, imagine how much he’ll be demanding to be paid then.
August 8th, 2007 at 18:52
I forgot to mention Vidic who would make a great captain too in the John Terry mould
August 8th, 2007 at 19:06
Rooney!
Rio is not committed enough, Ronaldo is good but maybe not captain material.
Plus Rooney is more likely to stay here for life. He can be the next Robson!!!
August 8th, 2007 at 19:20
Scholes apparently refused it when Fergie was giving it to him
Nonetheless I’d want Rooney to lead us, you need a captain that can lead by example as well as the dressing room. It seems to be that Rooney seems to be one of the more colorful characters of the United dressing room and we all know how he wears his heart on his sleeve when he plays for us. Of all the players with us, Rooney seems the only one that would want to play for United for as long as possible as jos said
August 8th, 2007 at 19:42
Rooney for me. Although a pop at Vidic would be good, depending on how his English comes along,not that it’s bad at the mo. Think the best captains are from the defensive areas so for me Rooney is the only non-defensive player I’d consider for Captain. Vidic I say because as a foreign player and captain at that you have to be really be worth the blood and sweat and Vidic will ceratinly show that in time, it would also cement his reputation the world over, £7mill was spent on a virtual unknown who played like a deer caught in the headlamps first month or so but as usual the Fergie masterstroke came through,and where did I start and where did I finish?? Between Vidic and Rooney as they seem like the only two out of the names mentioned that have the right number of playing years left in them and that ‘United character’,I’ve got a lump in my throat writing this,love those two more than most in the current setup,if it is possible to love one more than the other (o’shea,o’shea, please oh oh, never go away..not forgetting Scholes with his 36 yellows per season:)-Rio just doesn’t cut it as captain for me, dunno why, maybe the Peckham accent(I’m a Londoner myself so no prejudice boys),and he makes one too many mistakes for a defender of his stature..and I think the rate we’re signing younger flair players we’ll have Cris Ron for a few years yet,IMO he’ll peak with us and then move onto Barca or Madrid, but that’s years away-but no,he’s not captain material. Am I making any sense??
August 8th, 2007 at 20:08
Really it can only be rooney as he has been at united for a few years already and has the never say die attitude that a captain needs,he also is english and is outspoken so rooney for me.ronaldo cant be captain he isnt captain material.apart from rooney vidic is the other that comes to mind
August 8th, 2007 at 20:23
What about Foster? Chances are high that he could perform well for United before Neville or Giggs retire. He’s English, is set to feature for United and England for years to come, and he’s young, which could allow for him to be captain for maybe a decade because goalkeepers can play well into their 30s.
August 8th, 2007 at 20:25
steve from CA
he still needs to break into the first team and establish himself as a regular then he needs atleast 2 yrs to perform very well to even be considered, not gonna happen for atleast 5 yrs
August 8th, 2007 at 20:29
Vidic too quiet? Rio the blood and sweat of United? Hell no. Vidic would be a brilliant captain. Rooney is the more obvious choice though, being English, passionate and a tad crazy, just like Keano and Neville. I’d hate for Ferdinand to be Captain too. He just doesn’t seem leadership material. Foster seems like he could be a future captain as do Gibson, Bardsley-local boy-and Hargreaves. Ronaldo is definitely not a candidate.
August 8th, 2007 at 20:30
any updates on the friendlies going on
August 8th, 2007 at 21:06
Goals at http://reddevilsrant.wordpress.com/2007/08/08/review-dunfermline-vs-manchester-united/
August 8th, 2007 at 21:27
Wayne Rooney… no doubt… then we may think about Rio… but Cristiano? No way… he just isn´t captain…
August 8th, 2007 at 21:45
darren fletcher, he’s perfect lol
August 8th, 2007 at 21:47
just saw the game.man u 4-0.eagles,giggs and rooney 2 goal.1 was penalty.scoles played the full 90mins.Owen Hargreaves played 65 mins.pique played very well in central bacl position.i think he will play a major role in the season.
August 8th, 2007 at 21:51
the games was against dunfermline.man u also won the other game 3-0 against glentoran
August 8th, 2007 at 21:52
it was against dunfermline.man u also won the other game 3-0 against glentoran
August 8th, 2007 at 22:14
Kevin Nolan
August 8th, 2007 at 23:02
Rooney shows good leadership qualities that you would like too see im a captain. But Im not fond of a striker as a captain. I believethat the captain should be a driving force ‘behind’ the team. Hargreaves may become a contender in years to come. But untill thenRio should take over.
August 9th, 2007 at 0:11
Wayne Rooney.
August 9th, 2007 at 1:07
Everybody seems to think that speaking English is
obligatory yet you all choose Roony.
August 9th, 2007 at 4:14
Wayne Rooney. Rio Ferdinand 2nd choice.
August 9th, 2007 at 9:19
i think rooney makes the cut,but he will end up like henry in arsenal,show passionate but could not instill winning mentality to other team mates,,with time hargo will have blended well and its also easy to lead from midfield,,
August 9th, 2007 at 9:45
Let’s go long term and go for Rooney!!
August 9th, 2007 at 10:22
haha Gordon nice dig at Rooney’s vocab. .it’s a fair point haha
sort of anyways
August 9th, 2007 at 13:05
yeah, it has to be wazza or rio. but i think pique for the future will be a candidate for the band.
August 9th, 2007 at 13:36
If Tevez can manage to learn the language, i don’t see why he wont be a strong contender.
By the time Neville, Scholes & Giggs retire Tevez will hopefully have signed a long term deal and he remind’s me of Cantona & Keane.
August 9th, 2007 at 13:44
Giggs has never been captain material IMHO; he is far too quiet and the captaincy always seems to hamper him much like it does with Scholsey.
I have never felt that Nev is a great team captain either, club captain sure but I would give it to Rio whose calmness on the pitch gives him some authority. Maybe Rooney in a few years but he needs to grow up some more and stop swearing at refs!
August 9th, 2007 at 14:09
Maybe is Rooney became a talismatic Cantona figure he could become captain, but forwards do not really make the best captains. I think Neville will be here for another 2 seasons, enough time for Hargreaves to fill into the role as central midfield.
August 10th, 2007 at 8:20
VDS for captain! - he’s a champs league winner
he’s got loads of expirience behind him
you say Rooney = not just yet… when he turns 24 or 25 then fine. not now
Hargreaves is a good option
August 10th, 2007 at 13:09
FYI Eric was the captain when Steve Bruce left the club.
My choice is Rooney and Vidic the vice captain
August 10th, 2007 at 15:26
right now i have to pick rooney but before it would have been smith if he had been more of a
starting player, played his heart for united, was aggressive, and hell: he was loud…
rooney also plays his heart for united although i’d rather have a midfield captain so by the tme gary retires hargreaves might have settled in nicely for captain.
August 13th, 2007 at 0:53
Dont know why he would have to be english. Vidic generally
leads by example not with his mouth so he might not be first choice.
Ronaldo is pretty verbal on pitch, and now with nani and anderson
portugeuse is the second language at united. Definitly not Rio.
Rooney could do it but only if HE really wanted to. Giggs is only vice
captain now because he is the most experienced. If united start playing
4-2-3-1 Hargreaves and Carrick will surely boss the midfield and captaincy
may fall to one of them. Its all up in the air.
August 18th, 2007 at 2:53
okay, first off all i think that the captaincy should not go to rooney not because he is lousy or anything, putting a striker as a captain is hard, because in the field the captain is the manager. And rooney is mostly up front, so it would be hard to instruct order to the lads.I think rio wont make it either because being a captain would get to his head, making him feel superior, and would lead to the lose of form. I think the best option has to be vidic or carrick. Vidic is like John terry MAterial. And carrick looks to becoming more and more to the style of play that to of Roy keane. ROnaldo, errhmm..maybe not the right time.maybe when he is around 27or 28(if he is in MAnchester)