Rooney is Man United captain

 Wayne Rooney has been named Manchester United captain by new manager Louis van Gaal, the club announced.

The 28-year-old England striker succeeds Nemanja Vidic after the Serbia defender left United at the end of last season to join Inter Milan.

“For me the choice of captain is always very important,” said Van Gaal in a club statement issued after United’s 2-1 friendly win against Valencia at Old Trafford on Tuesday. “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,” the Dutchman explained. “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.”

Rooney said: “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.”