Louis van Gaal impressed with new Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has praised Wayne Rooney's ability to "accept the responsibility" of being the club's new captain.

The Dutchman was named as the new skipper on Tuesday following the summer departure of Nemanja Vidic.

"He accepted the responsibility," Van Gaal said in this afternoon's press conference. "I like him very much - how he trained and also how he performed in the games and how he performed to his fellow players."

Rooney, who has netted 216 goals in 442 appearances for the Red Devils, will lead out the team in tomorrow's Premier League opener against Swansea City at Old Trafford.