De Gea is ready for captaincy
which will be signed when he returns from the club’s pre-season tour.
The 28-year-old, below, has committed to a five-year deal with the option for an extra 12 months, warding off interest from Paris Saint-Germain.
United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking for a new permanent skipper and De Gea says he is ready to take the armband after agreeing to stay.
“I’ve been captain for some games,” he said. “It’s amazing to be captain of a club like Manchester United and defend this badge. It’s amazing so, of course, I’ll be really happy to captain.
“It’s my ninth season and 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 mean.
“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.”
After last term’s sixth-placed finish, De Gea said United would come back stronger this season with an improved playing style.
“We’re trying to have more of the ball, to build from the back, to keep control of the game,” he said. “We’re working really hard this pre-season, and hopefully we can show it.”
Meanwhile, Nicky Butt has been named United’s head of first-team development. He was in charge of the club’s academy but will now report to Solskjaer. DINO ZOFF
Captained Italy to World Cup glory in Spain in 1982 at the age of 40.
IKER CASILLAS
Lifted the European Championship trophy twice as Spain captain in 2008 and 2012, and led his country to World Cup success in 2010. GIANLUIGI BUFFON Played more games than anyone for Italy (176) and, after taking over the captaincy in 2010, went on to captain his country more than anyone - 80 times. HUGO LLORIS Tottenham keeper had his greatest career moment in Moscow last summer when he lifted the World Cup as France skipper.
PETER SHILTON England’s record appearance holder with 125 caps between 1970 and 1990, Shilton wore the armband in 15 of those games. GIANPIERO COMBI
Won five league titles at Juventus, his only club, and captained Italy to their World Cup triumph in 1934. P 2018-19 Man City Liverpool Chelsea Tottenham Arsenal Man Utd
Man City Man Utd Tottenham Liverpool Chelsea Arsenal 38 38
2017-18 38 38 38
2016-17 38
Chelsea Tottenham Man City Liverpool Arsenal Man Utd PTS 70 66 81 77 United’s record last season in the Premier League against the rest of the top six
United finished sixth, missing out on Champions League football, after a season in which Jose Mourinho was sacked and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appointed as his successor.
Shaw admitted United’s disappointment was compounded by neighbours Manchester City winning an historic domestic treble and arch-rivals Liverpool triumphing in the Champions League.
England defender Shaw said the pain of their own shortcomings and the success of their rivals has made United’s players even more determined to get back into the top four and push for the title. “Last season was so hurtful for everyone,” said Shaw, speaking in Singapore on United’s pre-season tour. “I know the fans were really hurt, but we as a team were very hurt.
“It was really tough for all of us to take and you couldn’t really enjoy your holidays.
“You see the Champions League final and the Europa League final and they’re all English teams, it makes you feel even worse, especially the way the finals went. None want that to happen again.
“I think that’s why we’ve all come back again with a different mindset and, of course, we had that break to clear our minds.
“But now we’re all focused on getting United back to where they belong.” After a fine start under Solskjaer, United faded, taking eight points from 27 to end the campaign on a low, 32 points behind champions City. Solskjaer and his staff felt a lack of fitness was to blame for United’s players being unable to sustain the high-intensity, high-pressing of us