Sir Alex Ferguson presented Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea with a special trophy prior to Wednesday’s FA Cup clash against West Ham.
The trophy – in the shape of a golden glove – is to mark De Gea’s achievement of becoming the goalkeeper with the most clean sheets in the history of the club.
De Gea registered reached the landmark in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, which United won 2-0 to lift their first major trophy in six years.
It was De Gea’s 181st clean sheet for the club as he overtook legendary goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel to write his name in the United history books.
De Gea was signed by Ferguson in 2011 as the successor to Edwin van der Sar and has now made a total of 524 appearances for United.
‘David, congratulations,’ Ferguson said in a special congratulatory video posted by the club.
‘To think of all those years back then when I signed you as a young kid.
‘I just wanted to say well done, you deserve it. So enjoy the moment and thanks very much for your service to the club.’
The 32-year-old Spaniard, after breaking the clean-sheet record in the Carabao Cup final, said: ‘I’m happy! It was the perfect way to do it, in the final.
‘To break the record is something amazing, so I’m really proud so let’s keep going and try to keep more clean sheets.’
De Gea is out of contract in the summer and while talks over a new deal – and a massive decrease in his salary – have been positive, there are suggestions Erik ten Hag might look to bring in a new goalkeeper.
Gary Neville believes David Raya would be a good replacement but has warned could be a ‘problem’ due to the unique pressures of being United’s number one.
Meanwhile, De Gea’s team-mate Casemiro was also presented with a trophy prior to the FA Cup fifth-round tie against West Ham after he was selected in the FIFA FIFPro Men’s World 11.
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