Wayne Rooney praises team-mates for responding to his leadership

Wayne Rooney is relishing the responsibility that comes with wearing the captain’s armband at Manchester United and praised his team-mates for responding so well to his leadership.

Rooney’s first season as skipper is looking set to end on a high after last week’s 4-2 win over Manchester City lifted his third-placed side four points clear of their closest rivals in the Premier League.

But the 29-year-old has been forced to issue a series of impromptu dressing-room speeches in order to maintain the club’s positive momentum.