Ferguson gambles with second-string side

Rio Ferdinand has been named as skipper as Alex Ferguson makes seven changes to his Manchester United starting line-up for tonight’s Champions League encounter with Otelul Galati at Old Trafford.

Dimitar Berbatov and Michael Owen are surprise inclusions, but most interest has surrounded Ferdinand, who took over from suspended captain Nemanja Vidic having been told yesterday that he can no longer expect a regular starting berth at United.