Throughout the summer, some big changes have been underway at Manchester United.
The Premier League giants, who endured a dismal season as they failed to secure their league title and qualify for European football, are now in the process of rebuilding in the hope to redeem themselves during the 2014-2015 campaign.
Out went David Moyes, in came Louis Van Gaal, and along with the Dutch tactician came some key signings and big departures, namely Nemanja Vidic, who had served as the captain of the Red Devils since the for the past three seasons.
And now, Van Gaal has named his new skipper, who will be none other than star striker Wayne Rooney. The 28-year-old is currently third in terms of all-time scorers for Manchester United, and his coach was full of praise for the English international:
"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", he stated via the club's official website.
Rooney himself was quite pleased to be given such a highly esteemed position:
"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", he enthused.
Official announcement from Manchester United's Twitter feed which indicates Darren Fletcher will be the vice-captain:
BREAKING: We can announce @WayneRooney is #mufc's new captain. Darren Fletcher vice-captain. http://t.co/hTVFL8ETJw pic.twitter.com/yyp65grlaJ
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 12, 2014
And here's how other news outlets reacted to Rooney becoming captain of one of the biggest clubs in the world:
BREAKING: Wayne Rooney is the new @ManUtd captain. Darren Fletcher named vice captain. BIG statement from Louis van Gaal. What about RVP?
— Joe Prince-Wright (@JPW_NBCSports) August 12, 2014
However, not everyone is so pleased about the Rooney captaincy:
Man United are held to ransom twice by a player. Their response - 2 pay rises and captaincy. pic.twitter.com/9jof9p1ghX
— Not Match of the Day (@NOT_MOTD) August 12, 2014