Rooney's a top captain who brings me pride - Van Gaal

Posted Sunday, May 24, 2015 by Goal.com

The manager installed the striker as Man Utd captain after trialling a number of players with the armband during pre-season, praising his work on and off the field

Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney's work as Manchester United captain this season, saying he is proud of the striker.

Rooney was announced as skipper following the Dutchman's appointment as manager last summer after a number of players were trialled wearing the armband during pre-season.

Van Gaal hailed Rooney's work rate behind the scenes and his versatility on the pitch after making more appearances in a deeper midfield role rather than as a focal attacking point.

"Wayne is a very good captain. I am very proud. I haven't had any disappointments this year with him," he told reporters.

"He is very good in the dressing room. He is always an example of the training pitch and when we play in matches, he always fights until the end.

"Wayne has also played a lot of positions for me without ever complaining. I like multi-functional players and the team needs more players like him.

"I think that I made a very good decision with Wayne because have fought right until the end in all of our matches. The team spirit has been great."

United end their season on Sunday with a trip to a Hull City side in desperate need for a win to have any chance of avoiding relegation and Van Gaal insists he is in no mood to hand out favours.

He added: "It is very sad when something bad happens because you don't want to happen to another manager and I know what Steve Bruce means here.

"But we need to be ruthless. We have to respect the other clubs of the Premier League. We shall do out utmost best, but our away record is not so good."