Rio has eye on Roy’s captain’s armband

MANCHESTER UNITED captain-in-waiting Rio Ferdinand has admitted he would be stupid to turn down the skipper’s armband at Old Trafford.

While Roy Keane has no immediate intention of relinquishing the skipper’s spot he has held for the past seven years, boss Alex Ferguson gave a clear indication of his thoughts for the future by letting Ferdinand lead his side out against Fenerbahce on Tuesday.

Ferdinand is viewed as a future England captain by Sven-Goran Eriksson, who is expected to offer the defender an immediate recall for next month’s World Cup qualifiers against Wales and Azerbaijan.

Ferdinand insisted he is happy to stay in the ranks behind Keane for as long as the Irishman remains with the Red Devils. But the time for a switch is not far away for 33-year-old Keane and the £29m defender has confirmed he would be willing to take the job.