David De Gea says Manchester United are ready for FA Cup Final battle

DE Gea

The goalkeeper is looking ahead to the FA Cup final clash against Manchester City.

Manchester United have struggled all year and David De Gea says he is ready for another “special” battle against Manchester City in the FA Cup final.

Erik Ten Hag’s first season in charge was one of progress and a largely positive one, with the team finishing third in the Premier League and securing a return to the UEFA Champions League.

The Dutchman is only the second manager in United’s history to win a major trophy in his first season and has the chance to add to February’s Carabao Cup triumph this weekend.

The Hag’s Red Devils head to Wembley for the first ever all-Manchester FA Cup final, where they will look to add to their cabinet and stop rivals City’s attempts at a treble.

“We have to recover well and start preparing for the game,” said De Gea. “Obviously we know it’s a big final, a special game.
“We have been fighting all year to be in a position to win titles and we will do absolutely everything to try to win.

De Gea and his team-mates were all at Carrington on Monday morning, with Sunday’s starters focused on recovering from a 2-1 comeback against Fulham at a bouncing Old Trafford.

Kenny Tete put the visitors ahead in the Premier League season finale and Marco Silva’s men would have extended their lead had Golden Glove winner De Gea not stopped Aleksandar Mitrovic’s free-kick.

United then went on, with Jadon Sancho and Bruno Fernandes completing the win which saw them pip Newcastle into third place.

“We conceded the first goal from a corner and I think five minutes after we conceded the penalty,” said De Gea, whose contract has yet to be extended until the summer.

“I was very positive. I felt like ‘come on, you have to save this penalty, we have to finish the season properly at home, we have to win’.

“Then I made the save, everyone was happy, enjoying themselves and I helped the team win three points today.

“The manager wants us to focus on every game and win every game. Before the match he shouted: “Come on guys, we have to finish well, winning mentality”.
“So yeah, we showed it again. 1:0, a bit of trouble, but then we created chances and could have scored more than two.

But as I say, it’s a great way to end the season with a win and (it) gives the fans a bit of joy.

The result saw United equal a club record of 27 home wins in all competitions in a single campaign, which also saw them finish 17 points better than last season.

“100 percent, for sure, the improvement is there,” De Gea told MUTV. “Obviously we still have room for improvement, but yes, a huge improvement on last season.

“Winning the cup, finishing third – it’s never easy in England to finish in the Champions League.”

“And then we have another final, a grand final, so I think it’s a great year at the moment.

As for Fulham, the defeat at Old Trafford was frustrating but it was a season to be cherished as they finished 10th on their return to the top flight.

Goal-scoring right-back Tete said: “Unbelievable season, every player.

“If you saw how we fought for every point all season. Not a single match was easy for us.

“I’m proud of the boys. We said that too and it’s something we have to build on.

“Now we know what our standard is, we know what we can bring. I can’t wait for next season.”

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