Louis van Gaal intends to make Robin van PersieManchester United captain ahead of Wayne Rooney. The Daily Star says Van Gaal would prefer to make his fellow Dutchman Van Persie the new United captain if he gets the Old Trafford job.

Under previous boss David Moyes, it was Rooney who was poised to take over the armband next season once Vidic leaves for Inter Milan.

But Moyes's sacking has thrown those plans into turmoil, with current Holland boss Van Gaal in pole position to take over at United on a £7m-a-year deal despite competition from Carlo Ancelotti.