Last updated: 10th August 2008
Sir Alex Ferguson hailed Rio Ferdinand as the world's best centre-half after Manchester United's Community Shield win against Portsmouth.
Ferdinand put in a commanding performance which was sure to have impressed the watching England coach Fabio Capello, who is due to name his permanent captain this week.
The 30-year-old may be third choice at United behind veterans Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs, but Ferguson believes Ferdinand now has both the quality and experience to lead the national team on a regular basis.
"Rio is now the best centre-half in the world by far," he said.
"That was an exemplary performance. He did not give one foul away and intercepted every ball that came towards him.
"He broke out of defence in comfort so many times it was unbelievable. He is a magnificent player.
"He is 30 now and because he has experience his potential is now being fulfilled in a big way.
"Rio is third in line because of his age," added Ferguson.
"Originally, Ryan did not want to be captain but he is comfortable with it now.
"But Gary Neville represents the heart of the club. That is why I gave him it in the first place."
Neville played over an hour in his first domestic appearance since March 2007 and Ferguson admits he faces a selection dilemma ahead of next week's Premier League opener against Newcastle.
Brown was superb at right-back last season and the United boss must decide whether to recall Neville now he has made his first-team return.
"It is a cruel game," said Ferguson. "Wes only missed two games last season and was absolutely outstanding.
"It is certainly a dilemma. Looking at it, I don't think Gary will play all the time. If we get 35 games out of him I would be delighted, so Wes Brown can do a job there."
Neville would now be available for England's friendly with the Czech Republic on August 20 but Ferguson feels that will be too soon for the 33-year-old to return to the international scene.
"Gary had an hour today, which was perfect for him," he said.
"He could play in a friendly and that would not be a problem because he needs games.
"But I would like him to play a few with us before he got to that crucial moment when you get back into international football.
"When you think about the length of time Gary has been out for, to come back the way he has is remarkable.
"But he is a remarkable man. He has enthusiasm and determination and the quality of his game is superb."

A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
Pictures from the unveiling of Real Madrid's reported £56 million signing at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Pictures from the Under 21 championship semi-final between England and Sweden in Gothenburg.
Pictures from England's draw with Germany in the last Group B game of the Under 21 Championships.
A look at the best pictures as Michael Owen completes his surprise to Manchester United.
| Time | Fixture |
|---|---|
| Saturday 18th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 10:30 | Malaysia vs Man Utd |
| Monday 20th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 14:00 | Indonesia All Stars vs Man Utd |
| Friday 24th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 12:00 | FC Seoul vs Man Utd |
| Sunday 26th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 13:00 | Hangzhou Greentown vs Man Utd |
| Wednesday 29th July | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 17:30 | Man Utd vs Boca Juniors |
| Wednesday 5th August | |
| Friendly Match | |
| 20:00 | Man Utd vs Valencia |
| Saturday 15th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Birmingham |
| Tuesday 18th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 19:45 | Burnley vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 22nd August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Wigan vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 29th August | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Arsenal |
| Saturday 12th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Tottenham vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 19th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Man City |
| Saturday 26th September | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Stoke vs Man Utd |
| Saturday 3rd October | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| 15:00 | Man Utd vs Sunderland |
| Time | Result |
|---|---|
| Wednesday 27th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Barcelona 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 24th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Hull 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 16th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Wednesday 13th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Wigan 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Sunday 10th May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Man City | |
| Tuesday 5th May | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Arsenal 1 - 3 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 2nd May | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Middlesbrough 0 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 29th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 0 Arsenal | |
| Saturday 25th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 5 - 2 Tottenham | |
| Wednesday 22nd April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Portsmouth | |
| Sunday 19th April | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Man Utd 0 - 0 Everton | |
| Wednesday 15th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| FC Porto 0 - 1 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 11th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Sunderland 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Tuesday 7th April | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 2 FC Porto | |
| Sunday 5th April | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 3 - 2 Aston Villa | |
| Saturday 21st March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Fulham 2 - 0 Man Utd | |
| Saturday 14th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Man Utd 1 - 4 Liverpool | |
| Wednesday 11th March | |
| UEFA Champions League | |
| Man Utd 2 - 0 Inter Milan | |
| Saturday 7th March | |
| The FA Cup sponsored by E.ON | |
| Fulham 0 - 4 Man Utd | |
| Wednesday 4th March | |
| Barclays Premier League | |
| Newcastle 1 - 2 Man Utd | |
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | Liverpool | 0 | 0 |
| 12 | Manchester City | 0 | 0 |
| 13 | Manchester United | 0 | 0 |
| 14 | Portsmouth | 0 | 0 |
| 15 | Stoke City | 0 | 0 |
Paul Merson is adamant: Michael Owen will score goals for fun now he's joned Manchester United.
Skysports.com assesses Michael Owen's possible free transfer to Manchester United.
Manchester United's 2-0 win over Birmingham in 2002. Can you name the mystery starting XI?
Everton's Yakubu Aiyegbeni is backing Michael Owen to be successful signing for Manchester United.
Michael Owen is eager to put his "poor spell" at Newcastle behind him by scoring goals and lifting silverware at his new club Man United.
Manchester United have confirmed the shock capture of Michael Owen, with the striker signing a two-year contract at Old Trafford.
Joe Kinnear has backed Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson to get the best out of Michael Owen.
Michael Owen has arrived at Manchester United's Carrington training ground to undergo a full medical.