Tomasz Kuszczak is determined to prove in the coming campaign he can step up and replace Edwin van der Sar once the Dutch goalkeeper retires.
Van der Sar will be 40 in October and next season could be his last for Manchester United after he agreed a one-year extension to his contract.
With Ben Foster frustrated at having little chance to impress and leaving to join Birmingham, Kuszczak is keen to take over the mantle.
Kuszczak, 28, said: "I hope it will be a big season for me. This will be my fifth with the club and I hope to play even more games.
"My challenge is simple - after Edwin finishes I want to be number one at Manchester United.
"It's not easy to sit on the bench - I have many ambitions and I want to keep progressing as a player.
"Manchester United is a great club and I believe it's a club I can play at for many years."
Kuszczak has made 51 appearances for United, including 11 straight matches from November to January last season.
"I knew it was going to be very important for me to prove myself during that time," he said.
"It was a difficult situation because we had a lot of injuries but I enjoyed every game.
"To have a good run of matches really helped me with my form and gave me a lot of confidence.
"I want to become a better goalkeeper and learn new things and hopefully I will get more opportunities this season."
Meanwhile Rafael is not just looking forward to a long career at Old Trafford, he wants to make his mark for Brazil as well.
The 20-year-old was celebrating on the club's summer tour this week after being called up by his country for the first time.
New manager Mano Menezes will cast his eye over Rafael when they face the United States on August 10.
Rafael said: "I am so happy to have been called up to the national team and very proud. It's my first call and I hope there will be more to come in the future.
"The coach called me before he announced the squad and asked me how I felt and how my training was going. I was so happy when he told me I was going to be in the squad."
It is a huge boost for Rafael given that last season - his second at the club - saw him hampered by shoulder and ankle injuries.
He added on manutd.com: "Maicon plays in my position and he is a great player who I can learn a lot from.
"I am so lucky to play for the best team in the world, Manchester United. Now to play for my country will be a dream come true."
