Wayne Rooney has been named captain of Manchester United by new manager Louis van Gaal.

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

Rooney, who could now also become captain of England following Steven Gerrard’s retirement from international football, 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.”

Van Gaal made the announcement following the Red Devils’ 2-1 friendly win over Valencia at Old Trafford on Tuesday.

“For me it’s always very important the choice of captain,” said van Gaal in a club statement.

“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.”