Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

Van Gaal wants 'English-style' captain

Louis van Gaal has dropped a hint that he will name Wayne Rooney Manchester United's next captain by suggesting he prefers an English leader.

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Rooney skippered United for the first time under new manager Van Gaal in Monday's 3-1 International Champions Cup final win over Liverpool.

And while Robin van Persie, who captained Van Gaal's Netherlands team as they finished third in the World Cup, was a favourite for the job, the 62-year-old indicated he would rather appoint a homegrown candidate.

United had been led by Scottish midfielder Darren Fletcher for three of their first four in the United States while Tom Cleverley was a surprise choice to wear the armband against Roma.

But the English midfielder began on the bench for the win over Liverpool as Van Gaal opted to pair Fletcher with new signing Ander Herrera, while giving Rooney the responsibility of skippering United.

He scored and Van Gaal -- who praised the forward's performance -- said in his news conference after the game: "I'm always looking for opportunities to give players the captain's armband.

"Today, Rooney played 90 minutes for the first time. Fletcher has already done it twice and therefore he was the captain. Cleverley also played 90 minutes. I think you have to choose, when it is possible, the English style. That is when it is possible."

United's previous skipper was the Serb Nemanja Vidic but he and the Frenchman Eric Cantona are the only non-British or Irish players to be appointed club captain in their history.

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