Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 10y

David De Gea: Darren Fletcher can lead United in Wayne Rooney's absence

David de Gea believes Darren Fletcher will prove a great deputy for Wayne Rooney as Manchester United captain while the Englishman serves his suspension.

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Rooney, 28, will be unavailable to United for the whole of October after he incurred a three-match ban for his red card against West Ham on Saturday.

The England international will sit out the games against Everton, West Bromwich Albion and Chelsea, meaning Fletcher, who was named vice-captain at the start of the season, is next in line to take the United armband.

"Darren Fletcher is the next captain and I think he will be a great captain," goalkeeper De Gea told reporters.

However, the Scot has only been on the bench for United's last three games since the arrival of Netherlands international Daley Blind.

Robin van Persie took the armband in the immediate aftermath of Rooney's red card against West Ham and the former Arsenal striker, who was named Netherlands captain when van Gaal was in charge, could be handed the responsibility should Fletcher once again start on the bench.

Meanwhile, De Gea feels United will be able to cope in Rooney's absence, which could allow Juan Mata to return to the team.

"Of course he's a really important player for us and he's the captain, but we have other players ready to play these games," De Gea added.

"We have a very important game on Sunday. We won very important points against West Ham with 10 players in a difficult match and if we win against Everton we'll be in a good position in the table.

"Of course it was a red card, but Wayne is a top player and I think he has to keep going."

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