Louis van Gaal has reportedly selected Darren Fletcher to captain Manchester United in what will be his first game in charge of the club during the early hours of tomorrow morning.

Nemanja Vidic had been the skipper since Gary Neville's retirement in 2011, but he has left for Inter Milan, while Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs - all of whom have taken on the responsibility - are no longer on the playing books at Old Trafford.

Consequently, Van Gaal has been charged with the task of picking a new leader, with strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie thought to be among the leading contenders for the role.

However, for the pre-season friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy, the new manager has decided to hand the armband to Scotland international Fletcher, who has the same responsibility for his country, according to numerous reports.

Injured midfielder Michael Carrick is another player who is said to be in contention for the captaincy.