Over and out: Fergie says Neville won't skipper
United in the future
Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed Gary Neville will no
longer wear the captain's armband at Manchester
United.
The veteran defender replaced Roy Keane as skipper when the
combative Irishman left Old Trafford in 2005. However, for
the last three seasons, Neville's career has been badly hampered by
injury.
Under normal circumstances, Ryan Giggs would step into the
breach but it has been noticeable this season that the honour has
gone to Nemanja Vidic. The Serbia defender did the job at Everton
on Saturday even when Neville was in the team.
And, while the 35-year-old remains club captain, Ferguson felt
it was important to have some continuity with who did the job on
the pitch.
Leader of men: Neville has captained United since
Keane departed back in 2005
'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 (play).'
As a lifelong fan, the decision cannot have been an easy one for
Neville to accept. Yet, ahead of Tuesday's Champions League
encounter with Rangers, the former England star understands the
logic.
'It is a great honour but it has never been the major priority
for me,' Neville said. 'I wasn't captain for most of my career not
as captain. It is not unusual.'
Leading by example: Vidic has worn the armband for
United so far this season
The question for Ferguson now concerns who the job goes
to tomorrow night. Vidic has been one of the better United players
this season despite the problems Ferguson's side have experienced
conceding late goals at Fulham and Everton, and has only just
signed a four-year contract extension.
Yet Rio Ferdinand, who is expected to return from a knee injury,
has regularly captained United in the past when Neville and Giggs
have been absent.
Ferdinand is also the current England skipper, even if his own
injuries have restricted him to just two appearances since
inheriting the armband from central defensive colleague John
Terry.
Ferguson may take into account Ferdinand's fitness when reaching
his conclusion, although for now, he is giving nothing away.
'Do you complicate things on purpose?' he laughed, when asked
whether Ferdinand or Vidic was going to get the job. 'No comment. I
haven't even discussed it.'