David de Gea has a new role in the Manchester United dressing room

You'd think most footballers would consider themselves a little unfortunate to play 500 games for Manchester United and win just one league title, but David de Gea doesn't look at it that way.

The Spaniard will become the 11th player in the club's history to hit that milestone when he plays against Newcastle in the Premier League today and the privilege he feels to still be representing United is clear.

De Gea's 11-and-a-bit years of service have produced just that one Premier League title, in 2012/13, as well as an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League, but there's been nothing for five years now.

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After arriving from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 as a promising but raw teenager, De Gea's United career was on the ropes early, but the club showed faith in him and although the medals haven't flowed, he has rewarded them over time.

He held off a challenge from Dean Henderson to remain the club's No. 1 and has played every game so far this season. If he continues to do that then by the end of the campaign he could move up to seventh on the all-time appearances list.

But first comes game No. 500 for United, a milestone that means so much to De Gea.

"It is something crazy. Five hundred games is never easy at a big club like Manchester United. So, yes, I'm really, really proud to reach 500 games," he said.

"It's something amazing and I can't wait to play the game to reach the 500. To keep enjoying and playing for this club. And try to win, it's the most important thing.

"To be honest nobody expects to play that many years and that many games. It is something unbelievable. It is a lot of years here, a lot of games. It's a privilege to be here playing for this club and I