David de Gea wants to be Manchester United captain after committing his long-term future to the club.

De Gea will sign a new £375,000-a-week contract until 2025 when United return from their pre-season tour, ending speculation that he could leave Old Trafford as a free agent next summer.

The Spain goalkeeper is one of the candidates to become United's permanent captain after being handed the armband on several occasions in the past, and says he would welcome the honour.

David de Gea has committed his long-term future to Manchester United with a new contract

'I've been captain for some games and, of course, it is amazing to be captain of a club like Manchester United and defend this badge,' said De Gea before United left Singapore for Shanghai.

'It's amazing, so of course I'll be really, really happy to be 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 means and that's important.'

The 28-year-old admits that last season wasn't good enough for a club of United's stature as they missed out a place in the Champions League and failed to win a trophy.

De Gea was also guilty of some uncharacteristic errors towards the end of the campaign, bringing pressure on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to drop his keeper.

De Gea will sign a £375,000-a-week deal until 2025 when United return from pre-season tour

The Spain goalkeeper is one of the candidates to become United's permanent captain

DAVID DE GEA'S STATS LAST SEASON Appearances: 47 Goals conceded: 63 Clean sheets: 10 Advertisement

But after United won their first three games on tour against Perth Glory, Leeds United and Inter Milan ahead of Thursday's International Champions Cup clash with Tottenham in Shanghai, confidence is high that they can be much stronger this season.

'We have to improve a lot,' added De Gea. '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.

'I think this pre-season we're trying to have more of the ball, to keep the ball, to build from the back and to keep control of the game – things we didn't have last season.

De Gea was guilty of some uncharacteristic errors towards the end of last season

'We have to improve a lot on this. We are working really hard this pre-season, and hopefully we can show it in the first game against Chelsea that we have improved a lot from last season.'

United have only made two new signings, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Dan James, as the transfer deadline looms on August 8.

However, both players have made a good impression on tour with Wan-Bissaka in particular demonstrating why Solskjaer was so keen to bring him in as his first-choice right back.

De Gea said: 'He's shown in the last two or three games that he has pace, good with the ball, great defender, so he's a good signing for us.'