Manchester United management are delighted Rio Ferdinand is taking the England captaincy.

Ferdinand will succeed Chelsea skipper John Terry after his demotion last Friday.

United No2 Mike Phelan said: “We are pleased of course to have a Manchester United captain of England. There have been a few in the past and Rio is just an extension to that so we’re pleased. He just needs to get fit now and get back into the team.

“I think he has the qualities. He’s been at the top level for many, many years, he’s got the experience, the quality’s there - we’ve never doubted the quality that Rio’s got - and now his leadership credentials come out into the open so we’re pleased for him but we need him to play for Manchester United first.”