David De Gea has revealed his desire to become Manchester United’s new captain and says it is important he takes on a greater leadership role next season.

The United goalkeeper is set to end the uncertainty over his future by signing a new six-year contract worth around £375,000 a week when he returns from the club’s pre-season tour of Australia and Asia. United are due to arrive in Shanghai on Monday ahead of an International Champions Cup match against Tottenham on Thursday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has yet to decide who will be his next permanent captain but that he will announce his decision before United’s opening Premier League game against Chelsea at Old Trafford on Aug 11.

Ashley Young has been filling the role during pre-season but De Gea has signalled his desire to take on the captaincy and believes his experience could have an influential role to play in the development of the club’s crop of emerging youngsters.

“I’ve been captain for some games,” De Gea, 28, said after standing in at times for the likes of Young and the recently-departed club captain, Antonio Valencia, over the past year.