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MANCHESTER, England, Aug 22 (Reuters) - Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson assured Rio Ferdinand on Friday that the defender remains in line to lead the club despite missing out on the England captaincy.
England coach Fabio Capello chose John Terry ahead of Ferdinand to become the new national team captain on a long-term basis ahead of England's 2-2 draw with the Czech Republic on Wednesday.
Ferguson said however that he would hand 29-year-old Ferdinand the United captain's armband once Gary Neville and Ryan Giggs were no longer around.
"The way I operate is through seniority," Ferguson told reporters. "That's why Gary Neville is captain and when he's not playing Ryan has taken over. If Ryan is not available then Rio stands in.
"In the long-term Rio will be captain, no question about that. I'm very comfortable with that.
"His qualities of leadership have improved tremendously over the last two or three years and ability-wise, it is there for all to see."
Ferguson said the selection of Terry ahead of Ferdinand for the England job was not a major issue and will not have a bearing on Ferdinand's form or state of mind.
"It was always him or John Terry and it was the flip of a coin," he said. "It could have gone either way. I am sure it was a close call.
"It's not a reflection other than a personal choice and John Terry has been captain of Chelsea for quite a while and that has to go into consideration.
"It was the manager's choice to go for John Terry so he (Ferdinand) will just get on with it. It's straightforward. He should not be worried about the effect of that."
