Phil Jagielka tips Wayne Rooney for England captaincy

Everton defender Phil Jagielka has tipped Wayne Rooney to take over the captain's armband for England.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal named Rooney as the Red Devils' new skipper on Tuesday evening, and there is a vacancy for the Three Lions following the international retirement of Steven Gerrard earlier this summer.

Blues centre-back Jagielka, who plays alongside Rooney for Roy Hodgson's side has backed his international colleague to be handed the captaincy by the England manager.

He told ITV Sport: "If you look at the way he's matured over the last few years, obviously there's games where he probably does get a little too heated up, but that's what we love about the way he plays – his passion.

"And I'm sure the England fans would love that as well. I think it's definitely a good decision for Manchester United to make him captain and I think the way he's progressed over the last few years, settling down with a family and all sorts, I think he'd be a great choice as England captain."

Everton begin their new Premier League season with a trip to Leicester City on Saturday.