David de Gea has insisted that he has 'a lot of years ahead of me' at Manchester United as the Spanish stopper laid down the gauntlet to Dean Henderson in the pair's battle for No 1 status at Old Trafford.
De Gea has long been United's top goalkeeper, with the former Atletico Madrid man emerging as one of the world's top stoppers during his 10-year stay with the Red Devils.
However, inconsistent performances in recent seasons has seen the Spaniard's stock fall, leading to calls for boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to ponder changing his man between the sticks.
And the Norwegian responded to those calls last campaign, with Henderson enjoying a run in the team onset by De Gea's return to Spain for the birth of his child.
Henderson's positive displays for United have seen De Gea's future at Old Trafford scrutinised, with reports emerging that the club's hierarchy now regretting handing the goalkeeper a bumper £375,000 a week deal in 2019.
Yet De Gea - who returned to pre-season training early to set his stall out for a big campaign - maintains that his future remains at United.
'It's been a lot of years at the club and a great source of pride for me to have been able to play for a club like Manchester United for so many seasons now,' De Gea told the club's official website on his 10-year milestone.
'But you have to live in the present, I think I still have a lot of years ahead of me at the club, I’m excited about that, feeling strong and I’m very keen to do well.
'I feel great in myself, high in confidence and I think it should be - and has to be - an important season for all of us.'
United have enjoyed a strong summer, with the club finally landing long-term target Jadon Sancho in a £73million deal, while Raphael Varane is on the verge of concluding his £42m switch from Real Madrid.
De Gea is expected to start United's opening game of the season against Leeds United, with Henderson still not fully fit having contracted coronavirus.
