Wayne Rooney named Manchester United captain ahead of Premier League campaign
Midfielder Darren Fletcher has been appointed his vice-captain as new boss Louis van Gaal makes his biggest decision as manager
Louis van Gaal has announced Wayne Rooney as his new Manchester United captain.
The striker follows Nemanja Vidic in taking the armband full-time, with midfielder Darren Fletcher his vice-captain.
The new boss made the decision public following United's last-gasp 2-1 win over Valencia in their final pre-season friendly ahead of the new Premier League season.
"For me it's always very important the choice of captain," the Dutchman told the club's official website. "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."
Rooney himself was delighted to be given the honour, with many having tipped strike partner Robin van Persie as favourite for the role.
"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," he said.
"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, now back in action after a two-year battle with the bowel condition colitis that threatened to end his career, 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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