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David de Gea hails ‘new era’ for Manchester United.
Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea was quick to hail his team’s first title in six years as “the perfect start for a new era.”
De Gea only had to make two saves to keep a clean sheet as Manchester United eased towards a 2-0 victory against Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final on Sunday evening.
After joining United from his childhood club Atletico Madrid 12 years ago, the 32-year-old goalkeeper has already amassed eight titles.
De Gea, who won his first and only Premier League title with United in 2013, Sir Alex Ferguson’s penultimate season before retiring, was the lone starter for the club in United’s starting XI for this weekend’s final.
Ferguson was present at Wembley Stadium to see Erik ten Hag win a trophy after a six-year drought.
The significance of the occasion was not lost on a giddy De Gea after the match. “I think it’s the perfect start for a new era,” the veteran declared.
“I think the team is ready for everything. We showed [that] today, we played a great game; 2-0 against a very good team. You see the fans now and everyone is so happy, it’s a great moment for us. So, let’s enjoy and let’s be ready again.”
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On Sunday, De Gea added to his record total of clean sheets for Manchester United, recording his 181st in the club’s colors as the team won its first trophy since the 2017 Europa League.
Three trophies were won by Jose Mourinho’s team that year, including the European Cup and the Community Shield. Ten Hag’s side are still fighting across three fronts.
Only three days before defeating Newcastle, who are presently placed fifth in the Premier League, United advanced to the last 16 of the Europa League, setting up a fascinating matchup against Real Betis next month, after coming from behind to overcome Barcelona at Old Trafford on Thursday night.
United trail league-leading Arsenal by eight points with 14 games of the campaign to go and face Premier League strugglers West Ham United in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday night.
If United’s success is to avoid becoming yet another false dawn in the post-Ferguson era and live up to De Gea’s lofty billing, then the crucial games for the club will not end at Wembley’s success.