Manchester United’s captain this season will be Antonio Valencia, manager Jose Mourinho explains
The defender had the armband last season in Michael Carrick's absence and will keep it for the new campaign
Jose Mourinho, the Manchester United manager, has confirmed Antonio Valencia will be the club captain for the coming season.
Michael Carrick was the official skipper last term, although he rarely played and the armband was shared around with Valencia, 32, usually wearing it.
Carrick has since retired and Mourinho will stick with Valencia, while Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata will all be tasked with keeping discipline in the side.
Mourinho said: “The captain was Valencia last season, I think he's going to be the captain and when he doesn't play we have to make decisions.
“It depends on who is on the pitch, if Chris Smalling is, if Ashley Young is, if Ander Herrera is or Juan Mata is.
“But I never care much about the captaincy, I care more about the life in the dressing room and the leaders.
"The armband means what it means.”
Valencia led United out in their 1-1 draw with Club America in what was their first pre-season friendly on their tour of America. He faces competition at right-back from new signing Diogo Dalot, but the 19-year-old is injured and will not be back in action until September.
Some United fans, meanwhile, believe Paul Pogba is a captain-in-waiting having watched his rousing World Cup speeches.
