Wayne Rooney has been named as the new captain of Manchester
United by manager Louis van Gaal.
Van Gaal made the announcement following United’s final
pre-season friendly against Valencia, when Rooney skippered the side to a 2-1
victory courtesy of Marouane Fellaini’s late goal.
The England international, who is also in the running to
skipper the national side in the wake of Steven Gerrard’s international
retirement, takes over the role from Nemanja Vidic, who departed for Inter
Milan in the summer.
Midfielder Darren Fletcher has been named as the club’s
vice-captain after Van Gaal handed a number of different players the armband in
pre-season.
Rooney told the club’s official website: "It is a huge
honour for me – and for my family – to be named captain of this great
club. It is a role I will perform with great pride.
“Team spirit has always been very high in our dressing room
and I am very grateful to the manager for the faith he has shown in me.
“I look forward to leading the team out on Saturday at our
first match of the new season."
Van Gaal added: "For me it's always very important the
choice of captain. Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he
does
“I have been very impressed by his professionalism and his
attitude to training and to my philosophy. He is a great inspiration to
the younger members of the team and I believe he will put his heart and soul
into his captaincy role.
"Darren Fletcher will become the
vice-captain. Darren is a natural leader and will captain the team when
Wayne isn't playing.
“Darren is a very experienced player and a very popular
member of the dressing room, I know he will work well alongside Wayne."
And Fletcher said: "I am delighted to have been named
as vice-captain. It's a very proud moment for me and my family.
“Wayne and I have always worked well together and we will
continue to work closely together in our new roles. I would like to thank the
manager for putting his trust in me."
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