Compare the league champions Manchester United to the other big four sides and you will find little difference in quality. Alex Ferguson’s side undoubtedly have class in every department and a squad to compete with any of their rivals whatever starting eleven the United boss chooses to field. There is however, for me, one glaringly obvious thing missing from the current crop at Old Trafford; a captain.
By looking at Liverpool and Chelsea’s sides you can see that they both have a born leader wearing the armband. Love him or hate him, John Terry’s leadership skills are of the highest class, if not more so on the pitch than off it and he has proved a real asset to both Chelsea and England. Steven Gerrard holds a passion and love for Liverpool that has helped him drag Liverpool out of even the stickiest of situations. Even Cesc Fabregas appears to have settled into his role as Arsenal captain after the drama created by William Gallas and the Spaniard’s presence on the pitch lifts both his teammates and the fans.
Manchester United however, can be a bit of a shambles when it comes to the captaincy. Regular captain Gary Neville has been a great custodian of the club over the years, helping United towards 8 league titles amongst other domestic and European glories but the right back now finds himself plagued by injury problems and limited to the less important fixtures. Vice Captain Ryan Giggs, although experiencing some of the best form of his career, is not a constant in the United line up given Ferguson’s midfield rotation policy. Giggs is now 36 years old and he surely cannot continue to defy retirement for much longer. Rio Ferdinand is another name that has been known to carry the armband for the Red Devil’s but has also found his time limited this season. A persistent back injury and a host of unimpressive performances have seen Ferdinand spend much of this season on the sidelines and there is little he can do to lead his side from the stands.
It would seem as though the time has come for Ferguson to pass the armband at Old Trafford, but who is the man to lead the champions of England and one of the biggest clubs in the world?
My pick? Wayne Rooney.
Rooney, for me, is the outstanding candidate at Old Trafford. In recent months, the scouser has become a figurehead for the club, leading from the front with a determination and fight that surpasses that of his peers. He has often been the one to drag United out of trouble and he is arguably the first name on Alex Ferguson’s team sheet. Rooney is perfect captain material.
Admittedly in his past the former Everton man has been known to lose his head and just last season, succumbed to frustration at Craven Cottage, earning himself a red card for throwing the ball away in anger. The youngster has however, grown up a lot in the last few years and has carried a lot of expectation on his shoulders for both United and England. He has shown maturity whilst channelling his passion into more productive means. Just ten days ago against Hull City, Rooney lifted his team with a superb individual performance, atoning for a previous error and it is displays like this that make me believe he can lead the United side.
In England’s recent international with Brazil, Rooney led his nation for the first time in the absence of John Terry and Steven Gerrard. Rooney was the seasoned pro in what was a relatively inexperienced side but once again impressed, giving a mature, yet passionate display.
A great captain is one of the few things that is missing at Old Trafford at the moment. Whilst Gary Neville has proved a fine servant of the club, his time is fast running out, as is Ryan Giggs. Ferguson should waste no time in passing the armband on and there appears no better candidate than fan favourite Wayne Rooney.
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