Wayne Rooney is the leading contender to be the new Manchester United captain, but has been warned by David Moyes that he must behave off the pitch.

Current Red Devils skipper Nemanja Vidic announced this week that he will be departing the club at the end of the season after nine years.

Fellow senior players such as Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra, who has regularly worn the armband in the absence of Vidic, are also out out contract in the summer and are expected to leave Old Trafford.

Despite Rooney's own United future being far from certain, Moyes wants to hand the England forward the captaincy, but only if he, or any other potential candidate, promises to act impeccably away from the field.

Moyes told reporters: "We want people to show leadership qualities, not just on the pitch but off the pitch. It is a big standing to be captain of Manchester United.

"The person who takes over has to understand what it means for the club, the responsibility it carries, what is required of you as well. I think we have a lot of leaders in the dressing room and they will all get a chance to stake their claim."

Asked specifically about Rooney's prospects, the United manager added: "Like everyone else, I'll give everyone that opportunity to stand up and show what they can do in the coming months."

Rooney, 28, has hinted that he is poised to sign a new contract with the Premier League champions by revealing that he wants to break Sir Bobby Charlton's United goalscoring record.