Van Gaal wondered if Man Utd captaincy 'too much' for Rooney

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal says he questioned whether it was "too much" for Wayne Rooney to be captain after their friendly against Valencia.

The 28-year-old will lead United out at Old Trafford for their Premier League opener against Swansea on Saturday.

The Dutchman said the striker seemed inhibited by the role on Tuesday but feels he is the right choice.

"I said to him that maybe it is too much for him to be captain. But let it fly, I said, let it fly," he added.

"In the US he scored a lot of goals and made a great amount of assists. I want to see that Wayne."

Saturday's opener against Swansea will be Van Gaal's first competitive match in charge.

Robin van Persie, who skippered Van Gaal's Netherlands to the semi-finals of the 2014 World Cup this summer, had been tipped to succeed Nemanja Vidic as captain.

Asked why he opted to give Rooney the armband, Van Gaal said: "His attitude, of course. That is more on the pitch and on the training ground.

"Not so much outside the pitch but I have also explained to him that outside the pitch is also very important to me."

Van Gaal said he had wondered if the captaincy was putting too much pressure on Rooney but says he feels he is right for the role.

"He accepted the responsibility and I like him very much, how he trained and also how he performed in the games, how he performed to his fellow players."

United won all six of their pre-season matches as they prepare for the task of reviving their fortunes on the back of their worst league campaign since 1990.

With £27m Luke Shaw out for a month after picking up a hamstring injury and Patrice Evra and Alexander Buttner having departed, the left side of United's defence appears to be an area of concern.

Youngsters Tyler Blackett and Reece James are both in contention to start on Saturday even though neither has played a senior game for the club.

But Van Gaal said: "We have nine players injured but I am not nervous. I am confident.