As a life-long Man U fan since 75, Roy Keane is my all time fave player. But is it time for him to hand the captaincy to Rio? Are we better with Rio as captain (who influences the players more these days)? I know that it is easy to draw too many conclusions from one game, but I do feel that Roy is having to concentrate more on maintaining his own game that he appears less of an influence to our other players during a game. He is not as vocal as he used to be. Rio on the other hand, as demonstrated today, seems to have a lot to say. We seemed better organized today than I have seen us in a long while. Some of this must be down to the captain.
I think it has to be Rio...Keano just doesn't have "it" anymore, and so far with Rio as captain, he just steps his game up a level...Keano just isn't as gung-ho anymore, it's been a while since he's gotten a red card...(besides that stupid one against Porto in the CL last year)
Rio. Keane is past it and will be retired soon. Better to get a new captain in now than later. Gary Neville would also make a good captain for Manure as well. He's Manure through and through, mouthy and seems to have the respect from his fellow team mates.
I almost negative repped you, sofa, because of such pollution - but I think you're actually trying to make conversation. Everyone's entitled to their opinion, I suppose.
The fact some people here seem to believe (without joking) there is even the vaguest slimmest chance of one of our best ever captains having his captaincy taken away in possibly his last season at the club suggests some of you live in some alternate dimension (or just don't know much about football). Why does this thread even exist?
Why is Rio captain? He has only been at ManU for a couple of years. I would have figured that Giggs or one of the Neville's would be next in line after Keane.
Simply because he's a good leader. He talks a lot and organizes the defence. He's plays in a position in the spine of the team and is a key player. I think Rio will be a great Captain in the future, but stripping Keane of it so he can be it now? what a joke. But yes Giggs and Gary Neville are senior players and have Captained before when Keano was out. I think Rio is considered the best for the job when its time to pick a long term replacement though. He's been at the club several years now.
Keane should keep it and Rio will marshall the defence. It's better that a captain is in midfield where he can get to all the players most of the time. Roy will be rested quite a bit this season and Rio can be eased into the captaincy then and take over when Roy retires or gives it up himself. I believe Roy himself will know and admit it when it's time for him to relinquish the position - he's not a prima donna that will hang on just to boost his ego.
Mott, I completely disagree. Captain is not given to the guy who shows leadership and has a couple of good games. You can have leaders that aren't the captain. Keano has earned the armband for years of service to the club as well as the intense drive and determination in his play. Rio is developing into THE captain but he needs to spend some more time earning it. I believe Rio is the captain in waiting, but Keano is our captain today. The decision to give Rio the "C" should be when Keano retires or he personnally hands it over.
It's great to see RIo back and playing at the high level that he did yesterday, but for now, it's still Keano, for all the reasons mentioned above.
A friend of mine, lifelong Man U ticket holder had this to say in an email to me today... "MOM- Step forward Mr Ferdinand. His playing performance was flawless but something else pleased me far more. I am of the opinion that to make him captain of Manchester United Football Club is a disgrace as he does not understand what the club is all about. However, fair play to him today- he played the captains part in standing up for his team mates with the referee when Vieira and his cronies spat their dummies out every 2 minutes and tried to intimidate the referee. Also good to see how he put international friendships to one side today. There is hope for you yet Rio." Sums it up quite well.
Why is Rio captain? At the moment, Rio is ten thousand times as important to United than Keano is. We didn't have Keano on Sunday, but trust me, Henry would have scored at least one hadn't we had Rio. Our form dropped last year when Rio left the 11, and picked up this year when Rio joined again. Keane was a brilliant player in the past and has been one of the club's best captains, but Rio will be as well and IMO Rio should inherit the armband now as he's shown fantastic leadership.
Keane has been a great captain. He is the heart and soul of ManU. Seriously, I'll bet when most of you think of ManU you think first of Roy Keane. He has done some things that I have a lot of trouble with, but at the end of the day, he personifies ManU, always battling, always in the match mentally as well as physically. A great captain. Rio is IMHO the captain in waiting. He did a fine job yesterday and he is the guy that elevates your game. He is clearly the leader in the back and I think that influence will continue to grow. To sum it up, Keane for now, Rio for the future.
He's right in the sense that Rio hasn't shown the length of time in undying commitment to United to be Captain just yet. But hopefully by the time Keane is set to retire, I would hope that Rio had continued the form and leadership he showed on Sunday until that time...
Giggs and/or Gary Neville would be good current player who would qualify to be Captain, when Keane is not available. But I get the feeling Ferguson fancies Rio to take over when Keano retires. Rio's been Captain a few times this year when Keane hasn't been in the team. That job has fallen to Giggs and then Gary Neville in the past... I haven't been overly impressed with Giggs as Captain, he just seems to complain more. When Giggs and Keane aren't playing and it's Gary as Captain, it's usually not a huge match where you could gauge whether he's up for it or not... When considering a future long term Captain, Rio makes the most sense currently.
I don't quite agree with that, after getting banned for 8 months what did he do...he showed up everyday and worked his ace off in training so that when he came back to the starting eleven he would be just as good, or not better...which in my opinion he is better...if that isn't commitment to a team, then i really don't know what is..
8+ years > 8+ months That's just simple numbers. Becoming a true Red legend means having the drive, determination and ability to force the team to get through matches when all seems lost. THAT'S what being a Captain is, not just playing a good game on your own. I believe he has it in him to do this, but he needs to walk through a bit more fire, that's all. And not only that, but anything less than 100% commitment from Rio should be expected after the way he let this club down. He conceivably cost us a Championship for fuxake.