Robson: Rooney Can Lead For Years To Come

Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has backed Wayne Rooney to mature into a top-class captain of the Reds in the coming seasons.

Rooney has impressed observers inside and outside of the club with his leadership qualities during a first year as skipper, earning plaudits from Louis van Gaal and his team-mates as well as in the media.

After completing a decade of service for United, last term's leading goalscorer remains determined to lift his first piece of silverware as captain and inspire his colleagues to improve on the 2014/15 campaign.

Robson, like Rooney, had the armband for both the Reds and England, and is perfectly placed to judge the 29-year-old's credentials.

"It doesn't surprise me," Robbo told ManUtd.com when asked about the striker's success in the role. "Wayne had some problems early on in his career when he lost his temper and was sent off a few times.

"But he learned through that period and, since the manager gave him the responsibility of the captaincy, Wayne has taken that on board. He's going to be a good captain for a few years to come."

Rooney provided several rallying cries to the United squad during the year but Robson admits this was not an approach he would adopt during his own playing days.

"With the type of lads I had at the club, I didn't really need to do speeches with them," he explained. "They all motivated themselves. The main thing you have got to do with your team-mates as a captain is encourage them when you see they need encouragement.

"You also have the right to say when you think they're being slack and need reminding it's a big game or if they're not doing the correct things on the football pitch.

"It worked for Wayne though when he did a speech before the Tottenham game, but hopefully the players don't really need that. You have got to motivate yourselves in games like that."