Wayne Rooney wants to be the next Man United captain

Wayne Rooney has underlined his desire to be the next Manchester United captain despite being snubbed for the club’s 7-0 victory over LA Galaxy on Thursday.

Louis van Gaal, who signed a three-year deal to become the next United manager in May, handed the captain’s armband to Scotland international Darren Fletcher for the Red Devils’s first pre-season friendly.

I don’t think he [Van Gaal] was ever going to just walk in and choose a player from the off

Wayne Rooney

Despite the Dutchman’s snub, Rooney remains one of the front-runners to be given the role on a permanent basis, although Robin van Persie was the skipper of Van Gaal’s Netherlands side which reached the World Cup last four.

And the 28-year-old, who scored 17 Premier League goals last season, is happy to accept 62-year-old Van Gaal’s decision despite craving the role vacated by the departure of Nemanja Vidic to Inter Milan.

“Of course I would like the captaincy but it’s the manager’s decision who he chooses,” Rooney is quoted as saying.

“He wants to work with the players and then choose a captain from there. I don’t think he was ever going to just walk in and choose a player from the off.

“I’m sure he will look at the players now and make his decision in a couple of weeks.”

Rooney added that he is forgetting about England’s disappointing World Cup campaign and focussing on United.

“It was disappointing the way the World Cup went,” Rooney added.

“But I said at the time it was time for me to look forward and concentrate on Manchester United. That is what I am doing. I am just trying to get fit and get ready for the season. It was always the plan for me to come on the tour.

“We had a schedule depending on how we did in the World Cup. The Spanish lads [who also exited at the group stage] are here as well. But it’s great to be here. I have had a good break.”