Wayne Rooney named Manchester United captain

Wayne Rooney has been named as the new Manchester United club captain for the 2014-15 season.

Rooney had been tipped to take over the armband from Nemanja Vidic before David Moyes’ departure, but new manager Louis van Gaal opted to take some time before appointing a new skipper.

A number of players captained the side during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States, but it was Rooney who led the team out at Old Trafford on Tuesday night for the 2-1 win over Valencia and afterwards Van Gaal confirmed the forward will become the new team captain.

Darren Fletcher has been named as vice-captain.

“For me it’s always very important the choice of captain. Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does,” manager van Gaal said.

“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.”

Rooney, who joined United from Everton in 2004, has skippered the club in the past and he is delighted to have been handed the armband on a permanent basis.

“It is a huge honour for me – and for my family – to be named captain of this great club,” Rooney told the club’s official website.

“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.”

Fletcher added: “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.”