David De Gea: “We are Manchester United, We Need to Fight for Trophies”

David de Gea has confessed his desire to be named Manchester United captain ahead of the upcoming 2019/20 Premier League season. The Spain international is set to become the world?s highest-paid goalkeeper in a bumper six-year contract with United.?

De Gea, who was linked with a move away from Old Trafford, has reportedly agreed a bumper deal with Manchester United worth around ?117 million. He will earn ?375,000-a-week, which will make him the club?s second-highest-paid player under Alexis Sanchez.?

David de Gea has spent eight years at Manchester United where he has established himself as one of the best goalkeepers in world football. However, his current contract which is due to expire in 2020, left fans fearing that he could potentially leave the club.?

The 28-year old was very close to joining Real Madrid in the summer of 2015 but an unforeseen delay in the paperwork meant that the move broke down. Two weeks later, De Gea signed a four-year contract with an option to extend for a fifth.?

The former Atletico Madrid keeper has been one of Manchester United?s stand-out performers in the last decade or so, single-handedly winning them matches with his outstanding reflexes and defining saves. De Gea has been included in the PFA Team of the Year five times, whilst also claiming the Matt Busby Player of the Year award on three consecutive occasions between 2014 and 2016.

Manchester United fans expressed their unhappiness when manager Ole Gunnar Solskajaer named Ashley Young captain last season. Antonio Valencia, who was registered as the club captain, did not feature under the Norweigian and subsequently left the club this summer. David de Gea is now in line to become the new captain for the 20-time Premier League winners after the looming concern regarding Paul Pogba?s future at the club.?

De Gea spoke about his will to lead United next season. ?I?ve been captain for some games,? he told reporters in Singapore. ?Of course, it is amazing to be captain of a club like Manchester United and defend this badge. It?s amazing, so ofcourse I?ll be really, really happy to captain.?

?It?s my ninth season, I feel like one of the most experienced players. I need to show that on the pitch and try to help the young guys know what Manchester United means and that?s important,? he added.

?We have to improve a lot. We are Manchester United, we need to fight for trophies. When you put on this badge, that?s what it means – fight for everything, give your best and bring the team again to the top.?

David de Gea played his first game of pre-season as Manchester United triumphed over Inter Milan in a 1-0 win on Saturday. He will now hope that he can recreate his best form in the upcoming season after he received heavy criticism for his performances towards the end of last season.?

David de Gea will now hope that he can help put Manchester United back among Europe?s best as they look to rebuild under Solskjaer. United?s No. 1 is reportedly impressed with the? new methods of the Norweigan, who has clearly lifted the spirits of the players and the fans since he was appointed permanent manager.?

Earlier this month, Solskjaer said he would announce their new captain before their Premier League opener against Chelsea next month. ?We’ve got quite a few possibilities there,? he explained. ?And when the season starts we will announce.?

?Of course we’ll have a good assessment, see how pre-season goes. But, as you saw, Ashley [Young] will wear it when he’s playing until we decide on someone, yeah.”

David de Gea believes that Solskajer will be able to bring back Manchester United?s past glories to the club once again. The Spain international will now be looking forward to face Tottenham Hotspur in the International Champions Cup in China.