Rio Ferdinand is refusing to give up on his dream of becoming
Manchester United captain one day.
The England international stood in for Roy Keane on a number of
occasions in the past and was touted as being the Irishman's
long-term successor.
However, when Keane left the club in November of last year, manager
Sir Alex Ferguson named a trio of potential skippers - but
Ferdinand was not one of them.
Eventually Gary Neville was handed the armband on a permanent
basis, but Ferdinand is not giving up on one day following his
international team-mate.
He told the Manchester Evening News:"I would be lying if I said I
wasn't gutted about not getting the captaincy."
"The manager had said in the past I could be the next captain after
Keaney and the lads were asking what had happened between me and
the gaffer, but nothing had happened.
"I figured it was because of what had gone on with the contract.
But there weren't any explanations and I didn't expect the manager
to speak to me. I didn't need to be spoken to about it or reasons
given. I wasn't captain before Gary so there was no need for him to
say anything to me and tell me why he'd done it.
"The manager has picked Gary Neville who I think is a great
captain. There are no arguments from me on that score. He is a
Manchester lad, United through and through and you couldn't ask for
anyone better.
"However, I would definitely still love to be captain and carry the
great traditions on. It remains an ambition."
