20 Most Important Players In The Premier League 2014/15

10. Wayne Rooney

The gauntlet has been set. Weeks before naming his captain, Louis van Gaal emphasised the importance of careful selection in the process of choosing the eventual armband-holder. With Darren Fletcher given renewed importance as vice-captain, Rooney is the man that will be leading Manchester United out on the opening day with the letter 'C' emblazoned on his upper arm. A reasonable World Cup performance looks to have pushed the former Everton teenager into good pre-season form, with Rooney and Robin van Persie left more to their offensive devices in the new 3-4-1-2 system. Goals are a must from both, but by selecting the England international as the mouthpiece of his side, responsibility and pressure rests more heavily on his shoulders. Previous transfer windows have seen Rooney want to move on, before backtracking to commit to the Red Devils in the long term, but there can be no uncertainty now. Should Van Gaal look to rebuild successfully after an arduous year under the stewardship of David Moyes, Rooney will be the figurehead of the new era. For the Englishman to be a United legend, this could be a make-or-break season.