Is Gary Neville 'Fit' Enough To Captain Manchester United?

There is nobody doubting Gary Neville's passion for Manchester United, leadership skills, or ability to act as an ambassador for a club that he has served so well for the past 17 years, but in reality, how qualified is the injury-prone Gary Neville, for the job of Manchester United captain?

For a guy that has achieved only 16 league games in the past two seasons, the numbers are most certainly against him.

To be fair he has been injured, and injuries are something a player cannot really control. But, if a player cannot even get enough game time on the pitch, how can he captain his team?

Take the 2007-2008 campaign for instance. The season was a hugely successfull one for Manchester United. As they won both the Premiership as well as the UEFA Champions League. However the captain of Manchester United could only manage one substitute appearance throughout the entire season.

How could this captain lift the trophy at a final where he had not played in? Or even had not played a role in getting to? How could this captain lift the Premiership at a season where he did not play a single league game in, and was not even eligible for a league winner's medal?

At many times players like Ryan Giggs and Rio Ferdinand lifted the Cups and wore the armbands. Frankly, Gary Neville is just never around for United.

Even when Neville is fit, he still faces some stiff competition for the right-back position. Players such as Wes Brown, Rafael Da Silva, and the versatile John O'Shea have all done a great job playing at right-back.

So why is Gary Neville the captain of Manchester United?

If it is a matter of being at the club for his entrie career of 17 years and playing 380 games which is, don't get me wrong, an amazing achievment. There are other players like Paul Scholes who has played 416 matches, and Ryan Giggs who has played 563 matches, that surpass Gary Neville in that area.

If it is not the number of years at the club, or the number of games played, then could it be Neville's ability to influence the other players? Well, then, from a subjective point of view ofcourse I would say that Rio Ferdinand and Wayne Rooney can both do that job to the same effect, if not better. While playing almost every game I may add.

Then is it Gary's love and passion for the club? That certainly is important to have as a captain. But, I see 75,000 supporters that come out every Sunday, cheering United all. The all love, nay, worship, what is known as Manchester United Football Club. I don't see any of them with the captain's armband on.

Okay now, maybe that last point was a bit too much. But lets face it people, comming from a United supporter that wants nothing but the best for the club, Gary Neville is not Manchester United captain material 

Now, at 34 years of age, Gary Neville may not have much left in his playing career. Will he continue to play as Manchester United captain? Yes, probably. Is that the best choice for United? Maybe not so much.

Manchester United need a captain like Roy Keane, Eric Cantona, and Bryan Robson. A captain that would give his all for the United cause, which is something that Gary Neville does do, but, not on a regular basis.

Here are some players who may be candidates for the Manchester United captaincy.

• Ryan Giggs: An obvious choice. 11 Premiership tittles, 18 years, 563 matches. A Legend.
• Paul Scholes: Another loyal one-club man, that has won it all and played many many games for United. Although like Neville and Giggs, he may loose his place in the squad sooner rather than later.
• Rio Ferdinand: Leadership and determination are two traits that Rio Ferdinand poseses making him a contender not only for United captaincy, but also for being the captain of the English National Team. He has captained United on many occasions such as the Champions League Final in Moscow, and the World Club Cup Final. His central role at the heart of the United defence also helps to classify him as a leader. The only negative is that he used to play for Leeds.
• Wayne Rooney: It may be too early for him to be captain. But he is certainly one for the future. He  does not lack passion and is a firm fan favorite, which makes him a candidate for captaincy.
• Darren Fletcher: Its a long shot, I know, but you never know. He is a possible future United captain. Needs to play more games and cement his place in the first team. He has already captained Scotland before.