Wayne Rooney will reportedly be handed the captain's armband for Manchester United's opening Premier League game of the season against Swansea City later this month.

The Red Devils have been without a permanent skipper since Nemanja Vidic departed for Inter Milan at the end of last season, while the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Patrice Evra and Ryan Giggs, all of whom have taken on the responsibility, are also no longer on the playing staff.

New manager Louis van Gaal is yet to hand Rooney the responsibility on the club's ongoing pre-season tour of the USA, but the England international is still the favourite to lead United out against the Swans at Old Trafford on Saturday, August 16, according to the Daily Mail.

The report added that Van Gaal will turn to Rooney because the other supposed leading contender - Robin van Persie - is not expected to be fit enough to face the Welsh club.

Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans are three other players that have been linked with the role.