What am I talking about? The captaincy of course. It was looking as though Nemanja Vidic was going to wear the armband for this season after being given it for every game so far this season, even when Ryan Giggs, who has been our vice-captain for some years, started.
The real test came on Saturday thought, when Gary Neville started his first game of the season, and Vidic still wore the armband.
“Gary is still club captain but I have been looking for someone who is going to be playing consistently every week,” said Ferguson. “Over the last two or three years we have had to pass the baton along the line a few times. We have not had a consistent captain because Gary’s injuries have prevented him playing all the time. If he was available all the time he would be the captain. He would have been on Saturday. But I have to look at the overall picture. With all due respect to Gary’s time at United, he knows and I know, we don’t play him every week and I am looking for someone who does.”
But where does this leave Rio Ferdinand, who captains his country when available and is looking to return from injury tomorrow night against Rangers in the European Cup.
“Do you complicate things on purpose?” Fergie laughed, when asked whether Ferdinand or Vidic was going to get the job. “No comment. I haven’t even discussed it.”
Man Utd News 24/7
its like Robbo and Bruce, with a hint of Pally
Yeah, what GHTT said. It has been done before.
It’s probably a message for Rio: If you stay fit, you could end up with the armband on a permanent basis.
now dats a nice problem or dilema to have…
every red devil is a leader…
Mad the way alot of people were calling for Evra to be our captain and in the last 2 days our defenders are te but of much saddness
If Rio can stay fit give it to him as he leads the defence when he plays so would be odd if vidic was bossing him about. But its a tough call whether Rio will actually play more than Nev this season!
Rio is the man..
Does it really matter nowadays, the role of captain has changed forever imo. The days of Keane and Adams as roaring capo’s is long gone.
GHTT
Evra has been a wreck with what France have done to him – I hope he finds some peace
He’s a leader – it’s sad watching him in a hole – I really hope he gets out of it.
has to be Vidic.Not sure Vidic will stay injury free but sure he will play more than Rio or Giggs or Neville. Evra’s actions at the world cup did cost him the captaincy.Fergie did make him the skipper a few times last year
i’d give it to Fletch. he’s United to the bone.
I would go with Vidic as the full time captain. Call my stupid but I still think there is something special about the club Captain.
It is either Rio or Vidic in the real world. Rios if he stays fit and gets selected. Nev is not going to play enough games.
Still agree with those who say having multiple captains of their respective national teams has always been a united strength. Could happen for Fletch, but not on a regular basis this year or probably for a few. Evra would have been a fan favorite last year and well capable of the job. Blew that chance at the WC IMO. Still, giving over the armband would go a long way to putting Evra right. What a player! My choice is Rio>Evra/Vida, with Fletch to follow.
PS. Mind you, absolutely no one would complain if they gave it to Giggs for the year. Be fitting and all.
its very simple to know sir alex decision ,only 4 of our players are surely at starting if avilable , eds rio vida pat and wazza, eds will leave first, rio will get much injury time, so sir will choose between vida pat and wazza, with pat s national team issue and wazza s private issue decrease the points, so sir give it to vida was login ,my own opinion will give it to wazza ,let him respond to the team
BTC, Feel Roo has put himself back a couple of years, but agree with the sentiment. You can forget team Captain for 4-5 years in my opinion. That won’t mean that SAF doesn’t continue the maturity plan that has been on view the last couple of seasons. Wayne will be captain for specific games, and it will help bring him along. Have no mistake lads, these off and on bouts with the arm band are part of a plan. Guarantee you it won’t be team captain for a few years.
Berba or scholsy for me..
If giving the captaincy to regular players something Fergie is looking to do in the future, I see Fletcher and Rooney being regular captains in about 2-3 years (if Fergie is still at the helm, of course).
I’d give it to Vidic at the moment and then Rio if he can prove his fitness. I’d like Evra to get it because he seems level headed and rational, but his confidence is shot at the moment, so he’s best getting his form back first.
I think Fletcher should be our captain. He’s that perfect drive in midfield that have made so many successful captains for this club down through the years. If given the captaincy then Fletcher could be a real leader and I doubt he would shy away from giving a bollocking or two.
At 26 Fletcher is only hitting his peak as a player and could take the role for years to come. I think he’s certainly a more long-term solution than Ferdinand or Vidic. Let’s face it, Fletcher is at United for life. He’s come through the ranks and the time is right for him to be our leader.
Also, I know it hasn’t really mattered as we’ve been so successful over the last few years, but not having a regular captain can’t be healthy. We’re blessed with characters of the stature of Giggs, Neville, Ferdinand and Vidic, even Evra and Rooney on occasion, but a team needs to know who’s in charge on the pitch.
Fletcher is definitly the man.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=822869&sec=transfers&cc=4716
I would keep Vidic as captain for this week as Rio can’t be properly match fit after being out for so long. Let him focus on his own game until he is fully fit. I know its a bit messy but I think its the best thing for the club coming into a big week. Retain the stability for this week and see whats what after we dispose of the Pool next week.
This was destined for ronney that shit happened. For me Rio if fit, then Vidic/flecher.
**Rio**
Stay fit RIO!
@UNITED4life
Don’t know mate. I think you could say the same for Evra until his WC shot happened. I think Fergie didn’t want to put the armband on Rooney and Fletcher regardless of what happened off the field. I don’t know why it is. Maybe they have declined. Or maybe he doesn’t want to put more pressure on them. So we are left with either Rio or Vida.
Fletch captained the side in pre season, but that was before Vidic stuck his name on a very important piece of paper. And now i think of it Vidic wasnt even there in pre season! I wouldnt be surprised to see Fletcher taking the armband a few times this season.
Agree 100% that it was Pat’s til the world cup debacle.
It’s a real pity for Evra because i think he’d have made a fantastic captain for us and there’s no way he’d have fucked up the way he did for France because United cant be compared to that disorganised pile of shit.
I think that Fletcher would be a good call.
Vidic should not carry the armband. His ability to lead the group when leadership is needed has been poor. Why does a team that is infamous for its killer instinct in injury time, now concede goals that cost them points? Rio should carry it.
I still believe Vidic would have wear it. He is much more influence than others and he has more future and has committed his future to the club. I don’t see why he doesn’t deserved it. Is he not British that’s why he is not highly regard? Oh dear.
How things change…2 years back when we thought Gary was finished, most bloggers wanted Wazza, I pity him but am sure he’ll bounce back. Rio for me, with Vida as the vice captain.
Interesting idea, this is a tough tackling, tough team. Not a Nani type game.
This team will get stuck in. Chichos first Champions league game. He will be quakin in his boots once the Rangers start hitting.
Like Brown, Fletch and Park for this one. Think we will be running them off the park by 80 minutes.