New team manager Louis van Gaal has appointed Wayne Rooney as Manchester United team captain. Rooney has succeeded the position of Nemanja Vidic after the latter left the Man United and moved over to Milan.

According to Van Gaal "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."

But aside from heading Man U, there is a great possibility that Rooney will also be appointed as the captain of England after Steven Gerrard's retirement from international football.

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."

Aside from this, Van Gaal has also appointed Scotland midfielder Darren Fletcher to be the team's vice captain alongside Rooney.

Fletcher was happy of the distinction given saying "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."

Van Gaal is faced with a couple of challenges after the team crashed under the hands of Moyes. According to him, he won't be able to give predictions for the team incoming games as he knew that there are a lot of expectations but he is looking forward to the challenges that it will bring. He also talked about how he will be able to make the players work hand in hand with him as the coach." I have to see how the players perform my philosophy and how quick they can pick up this philosophy. For me the challenge is always first - not fourth - but ... it's dependable on the lock between the players and the coach."

Man United will play their first game under Van Gaal this coming Sunday when they begin their Premier League campaign at home to Swansea.