Pally: Rio's grand

Ex-Reds defender Gary Pallister praised Rio Ferdinand for yet another imperious display at the heart of United's back four in Rome.

The 29-year-old skipper for the night has been a rock at the back this season. He impressed again on Tuesday night, which was made even more important after Nemanja Vidic was forced off with an injury late in the first half.

"Rio was fantastic," said Pallister, a pundit on MUTV's matchday live programme.

"I wondered how he would react after Vidic went off injured, but he was absolutely superb."

Pallister feels that Ferdinand's growing maturity has lead to a blossoming of his leadership qualities, which have become an increasingly vital asset for United.

"Rio bosses the back four now," added Pally. "That's why he was captain against Roma and why Fabio Capello made him England captain.

"It's something he does a lot more now. At the start of his United career he didn't really do that.

"I think Gary Neville's absence has meant that he has had to come forward. Gary not being in the team has seen Rio come out of his shell."