Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson has tipped Wayne Rooney to be a future captain of the club. Ferguson handed the skipper's role to Gary Neville after Roy Keane's exit but suggested that 20-year-old striker Rooney may be next in line.
"I think we may have a potential captain in Wayne Rooney," Ferguson told the Sunday Mirror.
"I think there are indications he has the mental toughness, respect and the winning mentality."
The 64-year-old manager said in October 2004 that defender Rio Ferdinand would be in the running to become captain of the side - but the England centre-back appears to have come down the pecking order.
Ferguson added: "I had a chat with one or two senior players regarding the captaincy and I decided to give it to Gary Neville. But I had a lot of options.
"Ryan Giggs was under consideration but you can't expect someone his age to be running up and down the touchline every game.
"Paul Scholes did not want to be captain. He is happy just to focus on his game.
"And then there was Ruud van Nistelrooy. He captained us in November and we had a great response from him."
MMIX
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I prefer the team to be led from the back or from the middle - not the front
Match of the Day - Post-match interviews