Wayne Rooney will assume the role of club captain at Manchester United, following in the footsteps of some of the greatest players the club has ever seen. Rooney, who looks set to become both United’s and England’s record all-time goal scorer – he needs just nine goals for England, and 34 for United, both to overtake Bobby Charlton – beamed with pride as he spoke of the chance to become club captain.
“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.” Rooney told the club’s website as the build up to the opening Premier League fixtures begins.
The United manager Louis van Gaal was certainly expected by many to opt for his fellow countryman van Persie for the role, but is thought to have selected Rooney based on his unquestionable appetite for the game and the fact he has been at the club for 10 years.
Pre-season Success
Meanwhile, United finished of their pre-season with a routine victory over Valencia, when Marouane Fellaini – who was ironically cheered each time he touched the ball – actually popped up the winner as United triumphed 2-1. In other news, Adnan Januzaj has been awarded the number 11 shirt formerly worn by United’s greatest ever player, Ryan Giggs. It is thought he has the mental capacity to deal with the symbolism of the shirt, unlike Antonio Valencia who, when given the number 7 worn previously by Bryan Robson, David Beckham, Eric Cantona and Cristiano Ronaldo, really lost his confidence and performed way within himself.
There are high hopes for a good year at Old Trafford after the instantly forgettable non-transitin of last year. United look fit, hungry and ultimately professional. They are unbeaten in pre-season, and along with Chelsea and Man City, will battle it out for what promises to be one of the most exciting Premier League seasons in history. United are 16-1 to win it with some bookmakers, odds that anyone would fancy.