Jonny Evans wants to establish himself as a vital piece of the Manchester United jigsaw as they look to wrestle the Premier League title away from Chelsea next season.
The Old Trafford side finished second to their West London rivals last season and Sir Alex Ferguson has already moved to bolster his squad for next season's title challenge by signing Chris Smalling and Javier Hernandez. The football betting odds make United second favourites to win the league, so the players will know they have to up their games.
The arrival of central defender Smalling from Fulham could see Evans face increased competition as he looks to oust either Rio Ferdinand or Nemanja Vidic from the first-choice defensive pairing.
Evans told the Manchester Evening News he was "delighted" to sign a new four-year contract at Old Trafford and that the deal will mean higher expectations placed on his shoulders for the future.
"I am 22 and, having signed that new long-term deal, I will no longer be classed as the young lad just coming into the squad. I will have been in the squad for two years and people will be expecting a lot of me," the Northern Irish defender said.
"I want to improve and become better so you have to put more pressure on yourself to perform consistently and be a more important figure in the team."
Ferguson recently called for the younger players at Old Trafford to look at the likes of veterans Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville to see the standards needed to help fire United to the Premier League title.
Meanwhile, Ferdinand will be looking to prove his fitness to England manager Fabio Capello.
The Three Lions are third favourites in the World Cup 2010 odds, but their defensive frailties could haunt them.
There are also doubts over the form of John Terry, while Ashley Cole is also edging back to fitness.
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