De Gea Interested In Manchester United Captaincy

By Max Wise

Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says he is interested in becoming the club’s new captain as he prepares to sign a new contract.

Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is yet to decide who will lead the side going into the 2019/2020 campaign after previous skipper Antonio Valencia left the club following the expiration of his contract last season.

Solskjaer has in the past earmarked Ashley Young and Paul Pogba as potential candidates to take over from Valencia, but De Gea, who has been at the club for the past eight seasons, has also thrown his hat in the ring.

Speaking at an event for supporters in Singapore on Sunday night, the 28-year-old said: “I’ve been captain for some games. Of course it is amazing to be captain of a club like Manchester United and defend this badge.

“It’s amazing, so of course 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.”

De Gea has been in discussions with the Manchester United hierarchy for some time over extending a deal that expires at the end of next season and it seems highly likely that a compromise can be reached in the coming days.

De Gea joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and he has won Manchester United’s player of the year four times in the last six seasons.

De Gea had a difficult time between the sticks towards the end of the 2018/2019 season but he still remains one of the best players in his position worldwide.