Trophies are what David de Gea craves as the reported Real Madrid target looks to lead Manchester United back to the top of English and European football.
De Gea has not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson retired in 2012-13 – the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup the only silverware added to the star goalkeeper’s cabinet.
The 27-year-old Spain international, who continues to attract interest from two-time reigning Champions League holders Madrid, has flourished with numerous individual honours – including four successive PFA Team of the Year inclusions.
But De Gea has his sights firmly set on trophies as United prepare to face Chelsea in the FA Cup final next month.
“I’m playing well, I’m confident but I have to maintain it and win trophies,” De Gea told the Daily Mail when asked if he was the best goalkeeper in the world. “That’s what world-class players do.”
United have struggled since Ferguson’s departure, finishing no better than fourth prior to this season, which sees the club second to champions Manchester City.
But with three-time Premier League winner Jose Mourinho at the helm, De Gea believes the Red Devils can return to the English summit.
“It was odd [under van Gaal]. Finishing fourth is not good enough,” De Gea said. “I want to win. If you are at United, you need a manager with a winning mentality. We had that with Ferguson. Mourinho has it. He wants to win every game.
“We spoke in the Euros and he told me he wanted me with him and wanted trophies. We’ve had a tough time since Ferguson retired. It’s hard to diagnose. It has to be more.
“Titles are what I crave. We have to get United back to their best, back in the Champions League, back as the champions of England, back to the top.”
De Gea was reportedly set to leave United if Dutch manager Louis van Gaal remained at Old Trafford in 2016.
Van Gaal was in charge when De Gea’s move to Madrid sensationally fell through on deadline day in 2015 – a faulty fax machine reportedly at the centre of the failed transfer.
De Gea missed United’s opening two matches of the Premier League season after van Gaal claimed the Spaniard did not want to play.
“My first game back was at Old Trafford against Liverpool. Louis had said what he said. The truth is, I wasn’t sure how Old Trafford would react to me,” De Gea added.
“I was nervous walking out that day. They have always been behind me but I did wonder that day. As it transpired, they were amazing. Everyone was singing my name. It was important for me.”
