Wayne Rooney could be Manchester United captain BEFORE the end of the season

WAYNE ROONEY could become the new Manchester United captain before the end of the season.

SKIPPING ROO: £300k-per-week striker Wayne Rooney could be handed the United armband before Nemanja Vidic heads to Italy

United boss David Moyes needs to appoint a new skipper following the news Nemanja Vidic has agreed to join Inter Milan.

Vidic has agreed terms with the Italian outfit and will quit United at the end of this season and move to the San Siro on a free transfer.

His departure is a huge blow to Moyes, who knows he needs a new leader to take the team forward in these troubled times at Old Trafford.

Moyes has spoken in glowing terms of Rooney’s maturity and leadership qualities in recent months and believes he is the ideal candidate to replace Vidic.

But now the Serbian’s move to Inter has been confirmed, Moyes could be set to bring his plans forward and hand Rooney the armband this month.

DEPARTING SKIPPER: Vidic is off to Inter Milan at the end of the season

Vidic is not certain to be a regular in the United side between now and the end of the season.

Conversely Moyes knows Rooney will be one of the first names on his team sheet and that the England star has the ultimate respect in the dressing room.