Rooney Stakes His Claim For United Captaincy - Why He Could Be The Man To Lead The Club's Next Generation

With the departure of Nemanja Vidic, Manchester United are in need of a new captain. According to the Manchester Evening News, Wayne Rooney fancies himself for the job.

The Red Devils striker quickly became a star at Old Trafford after joining the club from Everton almost 10 years ago.  Currently having featured 442 times and scored 216 goals for United, there is certainly a case for him to be given the armband.

As Rooney left the Toffees, his boyhood club, at a time when they had barely avoided relegation, the most goals he had ever scored in one season stood at nine on his Old Trafford arrival.  Since then, the forward has never netted fewer than 16 and has gone on to reach an incredible tally of 34 twice.

Although it could be argued that many have done so recently, particularly with regard to England’s poor World Cup showing, Rooney’s quality should not be called into question.  Despite the Three Lions’ failure to impress in Brazil, the United man has proven time and time again why he deserves to wear the shirts of his club and country.

The one thing that is undisputedly true is that Rooney is passionate on a football pitch.  There have been times when the striker’s temperament has caused problems, but there have arguably been more times when it has fired his side to victory.

Louis van Gaal will make the decision, and there are definitely reasons for and against making the Liverpool-born player United’s new captain.  However, at 28 years of age, it could just be Rooney’s time.

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