Neville appointed skipper

Gary Neville has been appointed Manchester United’s new club captain.

The England defender was confirmed as Roy Keane’s successor by manager Alex Ferguson ahead of tomorrow’s Premiership clash with Portsmouth.

Ferguson had drawn up a short-list of three, also including Ryan Giggs and Ruud van Nistelrooy, who skippered United in the immediate aftermath of Keane’s departure.

However, with Neville now recovered from the groin injury which had ruled him out for most of this season, Ferguson has handed the 30-year-old the captain’s armband.