Manchester United

Louis van Gaal in captaincy mix-up?

By Sam McEvoy, Reporter | 20 December 2014

Louis van Gaal suggests that Michael Carrick is now the club's vice-captain, ahead of Darren Fletcher, who was given the title at the start of the season.

Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal was questioned during his weekly press conference over who is the Red Devils' vice-captain.

Van Gaal named Darren Fletcher as the club's vice-captain - second to Wayne Rooney - at the start of the season but let slip twice that Michael Carrick was 'his captain', putting Fletcher's position into doubt.

The club's press officer intervened after the Dutchman revealed that Carrick was his captain.

"He is my captain so he brings a lot of experience but also a lot of composure," Van Gaal said.

"I can use him in different positions and I like that. Because he is my captain he can transfer my philosophy on the pitch."

The United boss was then corrected about the captaincy hierarchy, to which Van Gaal responded: "Next to Rooney he is my captain. Fletcher is also my captain. I have three captains but of course there is a sequence. Rooney is one, Carrick is two, Fletcher is three. In different lines of my team I have captains and that is very important. Maybe, that contribution is a big one."

Fletcher has only managed 23 minutes since September 17 as he recovers from ulcerative colitis, whereas Carrick has won six of the last seven games since returning to the team.