Wayne Rooney Hails 'Exciting' Appointment of Louis van Gaal at Manchester United

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has expressed his delight at seeing Louis van Gaal appointed as the club's new manager.

The 62 year old was confirmed as the permanent successor to David Moyes on Monday and will begin his tenure at Old Trafford after taking charge of Netherlands during the World Cup finals.

And Rooney, who will be among Van Gaal's most important players at United, has endorsed the arrival as well as the retention of Ryan Giggs as assistant manager.

"I think it's a great appointment," he said. "Obviously I think everyone has known for the last few weeks that Louis van Gaal was going to take over and the record he's got around European football is fantastic.

"He's won a lot of major trophies. It's great that he's asking Ryan on with him and it's going to be an exciting time at the club."

Rooney missed the final three Premier League games of the season for United with a groin injury but in an attempt to be fully fit for the upcoming finals in Brazil travelled to England's World Cup training camp in Portugal early in order to ensure he is fit for the summer.

The 28 year old has often flattered to decisive in major tournaments for England, failing to transfer his club form with United onto the international stage and Rooney says this summer represents his last chance to do his talent justice.

"I believe this is the one that I have to show what I can do and I believe I'm in the best possible condition to do that," he added. "I'm ready for it, I'm excited for it and there'll be no excuses this time.

"Obviously I missed the last few games of the season and I wanted to make sure that I was ready and available to train when the team met up. That was the reason behind it [coming out early] and it certainly helped me get up to speed with it and to be able to join in with the team on the first day."