Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has declared he has full trust in his skipper Wayne Rooney and suggested he is an example to every player in his squad.
Rooney's explosive temperament was often highlighted as an area of concern in the first two third of his career, yet the responsibility of being named as England and United captain has encouraged the 29-year-old to develop his leadership skills in the last year.
While Rooney has failed to score in his last nine Premier League appearances, it is clear that Van Gaal has full confidence in the striker who scored his first goals of this season as he grabbed a hat-trick in United's Champions League playoff victory against Club Brugge last Wednesday.
"As a player, he is the example for everybody and his mentality is also from a very high level. I don't think that many players have the experience of Wayne," Van Gaal told British Sunday newspapers.
"Wayne is the most social guy and also very responsible. I think he trusts me so that is also very important and I trust him.
"So when he comes to me and makes remarks about certain things I pay always attention to it while he has also the confidence to say things that is not always normal to say for players.
"So that is also good for the atmosphere in the dressing room. I think he fulfils my expectations unbelievably good. I am very happy and proud for him."
With United struggling to add to their forward line in the final days of this summer's transfer window, Van Gaal's words of support for the striker who will carry a heavy burden of responsibility as his lead striker are well timed.
Rooney will now look to reward his manager's words of support with his first domestic goals of the season when United travel to Swansea on Sunday.