With so many withdrawals from last week's friendly with Brazil in Qatar, Fabio Capello handed Rooney the skipper's job.

In emphasising Rooney's ability to carry out the role, Capello cited the likes of Michel Platini, Diego Maradona and Johann Cruyff, who played in similar positions for their country and assumed the mantel of star man but managed to profit despite the added burden of captaincy.

It is a job Sir Alex Ferguson has twice entrusted to Rooney at club level, both of which were Champions League games, against FC Copenhagen in 2006 and a group game in Rome the following season.

However, for the opening game of this season, when most of the obvious candidates were missing and Ryan Giggs was only on the bench, Ferguson plumped for John O'Shea to do the job ahead of Rooney.

The decision was nothing personal. Ferguson does feel Rooney has some of the talents necessary to be a skipper.

However, he has always tended to steer away from attacking players when it comes to on-pitch leaders because they do not tend to have the best view of the game.

"I have never really been an advocate of centre forwards being captain," said the United boss.

"You can see the qualities Wayne would give as a captain. He is determined, hungry and has a desire to do well.

"He always tries no matter how your team is playing. He will give 100%.

"These are wonderful qualities for a captain. It exemplifies the spirit of the whole team and players can take that on board.

"But Wayne is not in my thinking to be captain at the moment because he is young and I prefer older players and I prefer midfielders or centre-backs."

Bryan Robson, Steve Bruce and Roy Keane are all obvious examples from Ferguson's Old Trafford reign who fit the Glaswegian's general stereotype.

Peter Schmeichel also did the job at times, including the 1999 Champions League final when Keane was suspended.

However, Ferguson has made exceptions; Eric Cantona being a prime example.

"Cantona was a terrific captain for us because he imparted great experience to the young lads," he said.

"They loved him and he spent time with them after the game.

"His role as captain was a little bit different from a normal captain."