After a few dark years – by their standards – Manchester United appear to be re-entering the light, with last weekend's EFL Cup triumph their first trophy win since 2017.

It may not be the most desired silverware in England, but when a club so accustomed to winning begins to see dust gathering in the trophy cabinet, any tangible representation of success isn't to be sniffed at.

But Erik ten Hag said it best on Tuesday ahead of Wednesday's FA Cup defeat of West Ham: "Get back to work."

Given United's significant improvement under the Dutchman, there's every reason to believe the EFL Cup won't be their only trophy of the season – they're arguably still alive in the Premier League title race, a Europa League last-16 tie with Real Betis awaits, and they will be huge favourites against Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

The Premier League is the one, however, and if they are to pull off a remarkable turnaround to win it for the first time in 10 years, slip-ups from this point are unthinkable.

A trip to Anfield probably isn't what they want then, is it?

The drought

Granted, the 2022-23 edition of Liverpool is the Reds' poorest in several years, with Jurgen Klopp's side in a real fight for Champions League qualification.

But, for United, there will be something of a psychological barrier to break when they go to Merseyside on Sunday.

United haven't beaten the Reds at Anfield in the Premier League in over seven years, with their last victory there being a 1-0 win in January 2016.

They have suffered three defeats and claimed as many draws at Anfield in that time, making it their longest winless run away to Liverpool in the league since a streak of nine between 1970 and 1979.

It's been a generally one-sided rivalry in recent years, with Liverpool avoiding defeat in eight successive league games against United before this season.

Their clash at Old Trafford in August ended that run of course – had it not, nine matches without a win would've been United's worst ever run against a single team in Premier League history.

Nevertheless, United's most recent trip to Anfield will have left wounds that run deep.

The last visit

Having already lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool in the 2021-22 season, there was almost a feeling things couldn't get worse for United at Anfield last April.

In terms of the scoreline, they didn't. Technically a 4-0 defeat is better than a 5-0 loss.

But the stats painted a particularly harrowing picture for United after their second meeting of the season, which in itself was hugely one-sided.

The nine goals conceded over the two games was the most United had ever shipped against one team in a single Premier League campaign.

Furthermore, the 9-0 aggregate loss was the second worst in their entire league history, with only an 11-0 deficit to Sunderland in 1892-93 – yes, the 1890s, not a typo of the 1990s – being a greater margin.

Liverpool cut United open as early as the fifth minute, with Mohamed Salah laying the ball on a plate for Luis Diaz to tap in.

Sadio Mane then found Salah with an exceptional reverse pass for the Egyptian to make it 2-0 in the 22nd minute, before a fine first-time finish from the Senegal star midway through the second half had the Reds home and dry – if they weren't already.

Salah wrapped things up with a deflected chip, becoming the first player in Premier League history to score five goals against United in a single season after his hat-trick at Old Trafford.

Liverpool were then fully immersed in a bid for a quadruple having already won the EFL Cup.

This time around, remarkably, it's United in that position – they'll be hoping to at least match Liverpool by adding one more title before the season's conclusion.

The turning point

Matches against Liverpool have proven particularly poignant during Ten Hag's short association with United.

He was officially announced as the club's new manager two days after that Anfield hammering last April, and four months later he got his first win in charge against the Reds.

That's not to suggest his hiring was intrinsically linked to the loss to Liverpool – after all, reports had suggested for weeks prior that he was the primary choice. But there was a perception at the time that the club brought forward the announcement after that loss to ease fan concern.

Then, things started to go right for him and United with August's galvanising 2-1 win at Old Trafford.

United had, of course, lost their first two games of the season. Their humiliating 4-0 loss to Brentford on matchday two saw them end a day bottom of the Premier League for the first time since August 1992, Ten Hag becoming the only Red Devils manager to lose his two opening games in charge in 101 years.

But with expectations as low as could be, Ten Hag made his mark. Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were dropped, and United went on to win 2-1.

Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford got the goals before Salah's late consolation, with United showing promising signs with their attacking fluidity.

Since then, only leaders Arsenal (54) have amassed more points than United (49) in the Premier League.

It all started against Liverpool.

The present

For the Reds, the top four remains absolutely attainable – though United presumably feel the same way about winning the title, even if Arsenal are 11 points ahead (having played a game more).

Stats Perform's supercomputer reckons United have only a 2.2 per cent chance of usurping the Gunners and Manchester City, however, which puts such ambition in the 'about as likely as Ralf Rangnick being re-hired' region – Liverpool, the model says, have a 28.4 per cent likelihood of getting fourth.

In that respect, a positive result arguably looks more important for United, if you can really put a number on such things.

But even if a league title proves unattainable, beating Liverpool in their own backyard would see Ten Hag break down another major barrier for Manchester United, bringing them a step closer to the light.

Manchester City watched rivals Manchester United win their first trophy in six years last weekend, but that EFL Cup final success had no impact on Pep Guardiola's men.

Man United defeated Newcastle United – City's Premier League opponents on Saturday – 2-0 at Wembley to mark a new high point in Erik ten Hag's impressive debut season at Old Trafford.

Ten Hag's side are still in the FA Cup, like City, and the Europa League, while their form has encouraged talk of an unlikely Premier League title bid.

City will hope to stand in their neighbours' path, but Guardiola had a short response when asked if Man United's victory meant anything for his team.

"No, nothing," he replied.

Guardiola was similarly terse in swatting away questions on comments from Erling Haaland's agent and LaLiga chief Javier Tebas.

Rafaela Pimenta, Haaland's representative, had described Real Madrid as a "dreamland" for players, while City critic Tebas has weighed in on the Premier League investigation into the club's alleged financial breaches.

Guardiola was more interested in discussing Newcastle, who are winless in four in the league and suffered Wembley heartbreak but remain in Champions League contention in fifth place.

Having been battling relegation last season, Guardiola said: "[The progress] is incredible. What happened last season and this season making the step forward, it looks like they came to stay here.

"From what I've seen lately, even the final against United, and what they have done all season, it is one of the toughest opponents we have until the end of the season for their quality.

"They can do everything – experience, the threats, the transitions, [at] set-pieces the best team in the league. There are many, many things. That's why they are there for a long time this season."

Eddie Howe had no issue with Newcastle United co-owner Amanda Staveley promising the club would win the Champions League, although he hopes they will have patience with him along the way.

Newcastle played their first major final in 24 years on Sunday but were beaten 2-0 by Manchester United in the EFL Cup showpiece at Wembley.

Staveley's response was a strong one, inspired by the experience of the defeat as she told talkSPORT: "We will win the Carabao Cup, we will win the FA Cup, we will win the Champions League, and we will win the Premier League."

Those comments were relayed to Howe on Friday ahead of a trip to Manchester City, where Newcastle will attempt to get their Premier League campaign back on track.

"I love Amanda's positivity, I love her outlook," Howe said. "I've got no issue with the statements.

"All I'd say is, from my perspective, there's no time limit on that. If we set targets that are maybe too short-term, that can have a negative effect and build external pressure that the players don't need.

"We want the players to play free and not really think too much about the consequences. It's my job to take the pressure off them, so that's what I'll try to do."

Newcastle were in a relegation battle last season but now sit fifth even after a four-match winless run in the top flight, with Champions League qualification still in their hands.

"The leap is harder, and time is something that is a very small commodity, really, when you're sat in my shoes here," Howe added.

"Lowering expectation and controlling that environment is so important.

"I don't think we created a problem for ourselves, but the speed with which the team has improved has been so quick that I think people naturally assume that will continue. If it was that easy... it's not that easy.

"So, to continue on a forward trajectory is harder and harder. The better you get, the harder it is to get better.

"We have big challenges ahead, and we need to be smart at what we do. My work will be judged on that evolution of the team."

Alex Ferguson and Erik ten Hag have led a cast of legends and players congratulating goalkeeper David de Gea after the Spaniard set a new clean sheet record at Manchester United.

De Gea recorded his 181st shut-out to surpass Peter Schmeichel's record as United beat Newcastle 2-0 at Wembley Stadium to lift the EFL Cup on Sunday, adding another medal to his collection.

United released a video of thanks on their website with the likes of Ferguson, Ten Hag and Bruno Fernandes taking centre stage along with some other familiar faces.

Ferguson said: "David, congratulations to think all those years back then when I signed you as a young kid, you've beaten all the goalkeeping records at this football club, I just want to say well done you deserve it so enjoy the moment, thanks very much for your service to the club."

"David, in a massive career to collect a clean sheet record in this massive club it's a huge performance," said Ten Hag.

"I hope to come many more clean sheets and to make this record even sharper because as you know the clean sheets are the base for winning games and for winning trophies.

"You've beaten all the goalkeeping records at this football club."

Team-mate Fernandes added: "I think everyone is really happy for you, you deserve that, you deserve to be in that position, you are a legend for the club you know that.

"Hopefully you will get more and more clean sheets in this season and for the future also because I hope we can keep you here with us for so many years."

Rio Ferdinand said: "Broke the record for clean sheets, man. Never, ever in doubt. Always backed you my guy. Keep up the good work."

United captain Harry Maguire called De Gea "an absolute legend of the club".

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live after beating the record, De Gea said he was thrilled by the achievement.

"To win the final and break the record in the same day is unbelievable," he said.

It took De Gea 523 games to pass Schmeichel's clean sheet record and 522 to equal it, while it took the Dane 398 games, with 128 of those shut-outs coming in the Premier League. 

The 32-year-old was signed by Ferguson back in 2011 from Atletico Madrid and has won the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup during his time at the club. 

De Gea became the first non-British player to surpass 400 Premier League appearances and sits joint fourth with David Seaman in the all-time Premier League clean sheet rankings with 140. 

Erik ten Hag says any talk of Manchester United being in the hunt for a quadruple this season is "for the fans".

United ended a six-year wait for silverware on Sunday with a 2-0 victory over Newcastle United in the EFL Cup final at Wembley.

The Red Devils have an FA Cup fifth-round tie against West Ham to come on Wednesday and face Real Betis over two legs in the Europa League last 16 after eliminating Barcelona.

Despite being eight points adrift of leaders Arsenal, third-place United are also arguably still in the Premier League title race with the business end of the season still approaching.

On-loan striker Wout Weghorst was bullish after the Newcastle win in declaring United are targeting four trophies this season, but Ten Hag insists it is not something that has crossed his mind at this stage.

"That is for [the] fans," he said ahead of facing West Ham. "We have to focus on the next game and that is the only thing we are doing.

"Us, we are talking for 10 minutes and I didn't hear the words West Ham United. I think it was the press conference for West Ham United so it's only about this we have to talk about.

"We don't have to talk about trophies. We have to talk about West Ham United, that is the game tomorrow."

United have played 19 times since returning from the World Cup break in December and the fixtures continue to come thick and fast on multiple fronts, with games in three different competitions over the next week or so.

Rather than complain about the workload, though, Ten Hag feels playing regularly can only be a good thing for his side.

"In my experience in Ajax, when we dropped out of Europe the levels went down and when you are in it gives energy," he said.

"Until now, we have managed [the schedule] quite well and I think we can do it also until the end of the season. Except Anthony Martial, the availability from all the players is there."

United follow up the visit of West Ham to Old Trafford with a trip to fierce rivals Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, before hosting Real Betis in the first leg of their Europa League knockout tie.

Erik ten Hag's message to Manchester United players after winning the EFL Cup was "back to work" as they look to build on that success in the coming months.

United beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley to lift the trophy, ending a silverware drought that stretched back almost six years.

Sunday's victory was also momentous because it made Ten Hag's promising start at the club tangible, and there are more prizes up for grabs before the end of the season.

The Red Devils are arguably still in the Premier League title race despite being eight points behind leaders Arsenal; they eliminated Barcelona to reach the last 16 of the Europa League; they remain alive in the FA Cup as well.

It is the latter that they turn their attention towards next, with West Ham visiting Old Trafford in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday.

Kick-off will be only about 72 hours after the conclusion of the EFL Cup final, and with such a tight turnaround, Ten Hag is eager to impress on the players a need for focus rather than basking in former glories.

Asked if there were any additional celebrations after United got back to Manchester on Sunday, Ten Hag told reporters: "No. Nothing beyond. Get back to work."

He added: "Of course, [on Monday] the players were still enthusiastic and they had to celebrate this moment.

"But after we settled down, we got back to work and did what we had to do, which was recovery. The ones who played less [minutes in the final] did a good training session."

Despite Tuesday's press conference being a preview to Wednesday, there was understandably very little focus on West Ham, rather the defeat of Newcastle.

One element of his management that Ten Hag has received a lot of praise for this season has been his squad rotation, with the Dutchman clearly comfortable dropping underperforming players and seemingly always ready to look to his bench to change matches.

And in that respect he was keen to pay tribute to the whole squad for the EFL Cup success.

"Let's make myself clear: we didn't win with 11 players, we did win with a squad and I think the squad the whole season is so important and every time players come in, if it's for a whole game, minutes, a couple of games – also during games when we can change the dynamics – we do it with many more than 11 players," he said.

"So I count on them and I know they will be ready, because every time they play they take responsibility and it's about that, but you also have to fight for your position.

"There can be great months ahead of us and great games and everyone wants to play games. The players who form the best teams will play, so it's also [the case] for [Harry] Maguire. When he plays well, he can come into the team.

"It was not my perspective from the celebrations [that it was about a few individuals]. I think everyone was involved, everyone was happy, and everyone had the idea we did it collectively, not individual or one, two, three players did this. It was the performance of the whole team, the whole squad."

Marcus Rashford's remarkable resurgence on the pitch is completely unrelated to the Manchester United departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, according to club great Andrew Cole.

Rashford scored United's second in Sunday's 2-0 EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United, as the Red Devils ended a trophy drought that stretched back almost six years.

That was his 25th goal of the season across all competitions, already three more than his previous best return for a full campaign, and United still have at least 17 matches to play in 2022-23.

Rashford has looked more confident and threatening all season, but his form has hit new heights since the World Cup – in that time, his 17 goals (all competitions) is five more than any other player from the top five leagues, and he is one of only two (Victor Osimhen, 11) to reach double figures for non-penalty (np) goals (16).

Those come from a np-xG (expected goals) of just 8.0, meaning he is scoring twice as many goals as the average player would expect given the quality of his chances.

Rashford's positive 8.0 np-xG differential since the World Cup considerably exceeds that of every other player from the top five leagues, with James Ward Prowse second on 4.3 (six np goals, 1.7 np-xG).

This is a far cry from Rashford's form last season when his goals frequency of 0.27 per 90 minutes was the worst of his United career – the 0.78 goals every 90 minutes this term is comfortably his best such return.

Given the biggest upturn in Rashford's form has come since the World Cup, some have speculated whether Ronaldo's exit – which was confirmed during Qatar 2022 – has had something to do with it.

But Cole, a treble winner with United in 1999, refuses to accept that, convinced there is a simpler explanation.

He told Stats Perform: "I'm an individual. I'm not going to get involved in the Ronaldo thing because he left. Ronaldo wasn't there 18 months ago when Marcus Rashford was struggling.

"So, because Ronaldo's left now, all of a sudden [there's a perception] it's because he's left. It doesn't make sense for me. When Ronaldo wasn't at the club, Marcus found himself in a bit of form that he couldn't get himself out of, so I'm not having that.

"The [Erik] Ten Hag effect, I think. No doubt, the manager will be believing in him, telling him how good he is. But ultimately, as individuals, he could have taken his eye off the ball a little bit with what he was doing off the field.

"It could have been a little bit of that as well, but to see him in this really fit form now, the way he's playing, I think it's testament to him. For me, personally, it doesn't really matter what anyone else does with you.

"Monday to Friday, once you cross the white line, it's you as an individual, and also Monday to Friday, someone's telling you how great you are.

"If you don't believe how great you are, once you cross the white line, it makes no difference what anyone else tells you because you've got to tell yourself that.

"I'm looking at him now, he seems to be telling himself, 'I'm at that level that I want to be at'. That's why he's playing so well."

But with spells of such form from one individual come questions of dependency, or over reliance.

Since the World Cup, no team across the top five leagues has scored more than United (43), while their average of 2.3 every game sees them rank sixth, which again is commendable given the top five have all played at least six games less than Ten Hag's side.

However, no other United player has scored more than seven goals (all competitions) this season. While Ten Hag has received due praise for inspiring a huge improvement around the club, it is difficult to imagine them being on their current trajectory without Rashford's form.

And Rashford's numbers since the World Cup represent something of an anomaly – relying on him to score double his xG for the rest of the season would be unfair and unlikely.

This concern is not lost on Cole, who during the 1998-99 treble-winning season was one of five United players to score at least 10 goals.

"Do we need that depth? Of course we do, if we look at all the top teams in Europe, they have that depth," he continued.

"And yeah, I would say if [Rashford] did pick up an injury, which naturally I don't want, you're going to turn around say, 'where are the goals going to come from?'

"Because they're not really being spread around the team. Marcus has got a majority of them. Yeah, you might get sporadic [contributions]: Antony might get one in four games or whatever; Casemiro scored [on Sunday]; [Jadon] Sancho is getting himself back and is getting a goal every now and then.

"But if you're going to be challenging for major honours, you've got to have goals coming from all areas, and at this moment time Manchester United are relying on Marcus because he's in that form.

"No doubt they'll look to address that problem [a lack of goals elsewhere] in the summer."

Erik ten Hag is putting in the right building blocks to get Manchester United challenging for the biggest honours once again but it is too soon to declare the Red Devils are back, says Andrew Cole.

United earned their first piece of major silverware in six years by beating Newcastle United 2-0 in Sunday's EFL Cup final at Wembley, with first-half goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford enough to seal victory.

It is the latest tick in a first season of positives under Ten Hag, whose side still harbour trophy ambitions in the FA Cup and Europa League, while a Premier League title charge is not out of the question, albeit they trail leaders Arsenal by eight points.

Red Devils legend Cole, part of the famous 1999 treble-winning United side, acknowledged the upward trajectory Ten Hag has the club on but cautioned there is still a long way to go to bridge the gap to rivals Manchester City, who have won the title in four of the past five seasons and are only two points adrift of the Gunners this time around.

"We need to remember a lot of teams [used to] disregard the League Cup, now the League Cup has become a big competition," Cole told Stats Perform.

"I'm very, very happy obviously we won the League Cup and with Ten Hag, but let's put things into perspective here, it's his first season. We've got to be very honest, we know there's a big gap between ourselves and Manchester City.

"We can talk about at the present moment there's only five points difference but if we look at the whole of the last few seasons we've not been close. 

"So, I'm not going to look at this year and say 'we're back'. It's fantastic that we've had the opportunity to win the cup, but I think we're still a little bit away. If we keep improving like we are at the moment it won't be too much longer."

Cole, who scored 121 goals in 275 appearances for United, believes the EFL Cup triumph is only part of the process to getting the club challenging regularly for league titles once again.

"I was sitting here watching the game and hoping that this is the start of something new," he added.

"To win the league you've got to be the best team for 38 games. So that's the process, that takes time, that's not going to take you one or two years, it's going to take a little bit longer. 

"If you look at for instance, Manchester City, they've won the League Cup numerous times, then they've gone on to win the league numerous times. 

"I think he's [Ten Hag] building blocks. If you look at his building blocks, obviously Manchester United are in a position where they've won the League Cup. But let's build on that. Get from now to the end of the season finished in the Champions League spot. And then you go next season. 

"I'm not going to sit and say Manchester United are going to win the league next season. I know how difficult that's going to be. Just because we won the League Cup this season I don't believe we're going to win the Premier League next season by 15 points. No, it doesn't quite happen like that, everything is a process."

United have had plenty of false dawns since legendary manager Alex Ferguson retired in 2013, with the likes of Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer all ultimately falling short in their attempts to restore past glories – even though the two former coaches did win trophies.

Cole believes Ten Hag can lean on Ferguson for advice but ultimately step out of his shadow.

"I think with Ten Hag we all know he's got a pinch on the game and how he wants to run the football club, he's very good with discipline," he said.

"From the outside looking in, I could say possibly that's what Ten Hag is doing at Manchester United - leaning on Sir Alex Ferguson for his knowledge. 

"But at some stage you're going to look at things and address things in a totally different way. So, I think to take it on board that Sir Alex Ferguson is there and he's going to be there period.

"There's no point to try to fight against him because I think when people try and fight against it then it seems to cause more problems than anything else, it seems like they've got a very good relationship which is only a positive thing."

If Manchester United are not already back, they will be "sooner or later", according to rival manager Pep Guardiola.

United beat Newcastle United 2-0 in Sunday's EFL Cup final to win their first major honour in six years.

Victory at Wembley brought tangible reward for an impressive first season under Erik ten Hag, who has United third in the Premier League and still in the Europa League and FA Cup.

There have been false dawns for United previously in the post-Alex Ferguson era, but Guardiola, the Manchester City boss, was asked if they were now "back".

"First and foremost, congratulations to United for the Carabao Cup, for the final – Newcastle as well, that the game was entertaining," Guardiola said.

"Yes, sooner or later, it should happen, shouldn't it? Couldn't it? It should happen. Welcome."

United, in the midst of a takeover saga, would be a more serious threat if they "spend a little bit more money" according to the City manager.

Assessing Ten Hag's side, Guardiola added: "It's normal, they are in the position they normally should be.

"But the reality, with those teams, especially Liverpool and Manchester United, in the last years what we have done is incredible, the numbers. Always when I landed here, I thought United always would be there for the history, for everything.

"So, Erik is doing incredible job. The players, you see how committed they are, how all together they try to do it.

"When you have many years, five, six years without winning one title, when you have that challenge... I remember when we won the first Carabao Cup, when we travelled to win the Carabao Cup, and everyone was so excited to do it.

"[For the] staff it was new, for the players it was new. The fourth time we travelled there to win the fourth Carabao Cup in a row, it was okay, it was another one and another day in the office. It's normal, that is normal.

"United has to be there. [City are] always having big opponents that we were better than in previous seasons and now it's close. And I thought that would happen in the Premier League."

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford has officially been credited with his side's second goal in Sunday's 2-0 EFL Cup final win against Newcastle United.

The goal, which arrived six minutes after Casemiro had opened the scoring at Wembley, was announced at the time as a Sven Botman own goal.

Rashford's shot took a deflection off Newcastle defender Botman and looped over goalkeeper Loris Karius.

However, both United and the competition organisers confirmed on Monday that Rashford was indeed the goalscorer.

That means the in-form England international finishes as the 2022-23 EFL Cup's top scorer with six goals, having found the net in every round United played in.

He now has 25 goals in 38 games for United this season – only Kylian Mbappe (29) and Erling Haaland (33) have scored more among players from Europe's top five leagues.

Rashford's latest strike helped propel United to their first trophy under Erik ten Hag and their first of any sort since 2017 when they won the Europa League under Jose Mourinho.

Wout Weghorst said Manchester United are "hungry for more" and are targeting a quadruple after lifting the EFL Cup.

The Red Devils beat Newcastle United 2-0 at Wembley in Sunday's final, and are still in with a chance of winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League.

After the triumph in the capital, Weghorst was in determined mood to collect more trophies before his loan spell from Burnley ends.

"We win the first one now and still have three to go, so hungry for more," he said. "It's three left now. First one is in and first we have to stand still and enjoy it. But afterwards of course three to go. We have everything in our own hands so let's go."

The Dutch striker has scored just once in 10 appearances for United since his January arrival, but played a key role against Newcastle, providing the pass to Marcus Rashford, whose shot deflected in off Sven Botman to make it 2-0.

"It's a great feeling," he said. "For me not being here too long but for the club it's a long time ago we won silverware. It's good to have it back at the place where it belongs, to me. It's an amazing club."

Weghorst also admitted he "took a moment" at the final whistle, adding: "I can do really tough or I can do really cool, but for me this is a childhood dream; a childhood dream to play for this amazing club, to play a final and also be important in this final with the second goal.

"To give my all and then at the end if you win it you have to enjoy it because during the match you're only focused on one thing and that’s winning it and that's performing. After which you have to take a minute otherwise everything is passing by before you even notice and before you've enjoyed it."

David de Gea believes Manchester United can add more trophies to their EFL Cup success this season after swatting aside Newcastle United at Wembley.

Casemiro's header and a Sven Botman own goal saw Erik ten Hag's side break a six-year silverware drought with a 2-0 victory on Sunday.

De Gea, who broke fellow goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel's record for the most clean sheets at the club with his 181st shutout, added another medal to his United collection.

But with the club still competing for success in the Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League this season, the Spaniard is hopeful they can keep on winning.

"We are still in three competitions, and we have the chance to win more trophies," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "I feel the mentality of the team is a winning one.

"I've been here a long time, so it means a lot for me. I'm emotional because it has been so long without a trophy. I'm happy here for the fans.

"We've been in a couple of finals [that] we lost, so we knew today we had to do it. We were against a difficult side, but I'm so proud of the team."

On passing Schmeichel's record, De Gea acknowledged he was thrilled by the achievement, though he stressed it was a combined effort.

"To win the final and break the record in the same day is unbelievable," De Gea said. "I love this team, so it's a great moment. People are having an impact from the bench too."

De Gea was just one of two players from Sunday's team, alongside Marcus Rashford, who featured in the matchday squad the last time United won the EFL Cup, against Southampton in 2017.

The former Atletico Madrid shot-stopper said United would celebrate "the start of a new era" in ending their drought, telling Sky Sports: "The team is ready for everything.

"It is a great moment for us. Let's enjoy [it] and be ready again. We showed today we can win trophies. [We will] enjoy the moment but [we will] go again."

Erik ten Hag wants his Manchester United players to celebrate winning the EFL Cup, before targeting further success.

A header from Casemiro and a Sven Botman own goal in the first half gave United a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in Sunday's final at Wembley.

It brought an end to six years without a trophy for the club, and handed manager Ten Hag another sign of improvement since his arrival.

"You have to celebrate," he said at a post-match press conference, with the cup on display in front of him. "This is not a common day, [we] won a trophy.

"This trophy means something, that's the feeling I get in the UK. We have to celebrate but after that you have to keep going."

He added: "[We] know that it's worth [it] to invest, to suffer, to sacrifice, and to know that you have to give every day your best to [allow you to eventually] celebrate.

"It's about glory and honour and if you want to win something, you have to do it."

The win came just three days after United's victory against Barcelona in the Europa League playoff round, and Ten Hag was delighted with the energy his team showed so shortly after such a big performance.

"It's a massive performance that tells you we are fit, physically and mentally, we had energy. I think it was a great performance," he said.

Ten Hag left Ajax for United at the end of last season, and explained his "love" for the club led to him agreeing to join, before suggesting his players need to leave their own legacy over the next few years.

"Maybe it was a risk [to leave Ajax] but I am a little bit stubborn," he said. "I really love United, when I see the shirts, when I see the legacy of Alex Ferguson... this team needs to make its own legacy. When this opportunity came I thought this was the right team for me, I wanted to be part of it."

Club owner Avram Glazer was in attendance at Wembley and celebrated with Ten Hag and the players after the win.

"He was really happy for the club, as owner, he really wanted to be part of it," Ten Hag said. "You could see that when he was in the dressing room. It was good that he could be part of it."

Ten Hag then left the press conference, having to be reminded not to forget the trophy before he exited, joking that he would have to win more to replace it.

Manchester United's EFL Cup final win over Newcastle United is "just the beginning" for the Erik ten Hag era, says Red Devils full-back Luke Shaw.

Two goals in six first-half minutes helped United end a six-year wait for a trophy in Sunday's final, as Shaw's free-kick was nodded in by Casemiro before Marcus Rashford forced an own goal from Sven Botman. 

Ten Hag is now the first United boss to deliver major silverware since Jose Mourinho, and the Dutchman's rejuvenated side remain in contention to win a further three competitions this season.

With crucial fixtures in the Premier League, Europa League and FA Cup on the horizon, Shaw called on United's current crop to leave their mark on the club's illustrious history.

"It feels amazing. We said before that we want to create our own history here with the new team and the new manager, and I think [this] was the start of it," he told Sky Sports.

"I think the connection now is easy to see, we feel the love from the fans and we hope they feel the same from us. 

"We wanted to start with a trophy and this is just the beginning for us."

Fellow England international Rashford echoed Shaw's thoughts, calling for United to use Sunday's win as inspiration in their hunt for further silverware.

"It's massive for us to be involved in these games, it's something that we've missed as a club," Rashford said. "To come all this way and go on and win it, it's a massive feeling.

"Hopefully it pushes us to keep going now. The hunger is to have more moments like this. I've been in finals where we've won and where we've lost, and when you win it's massive for the club.

"It's part of our history at the club and we want to keep adding to that. I'm buzzing with the result.

"We want to be involved in a lot of games and staying in competitions. If we want to win things we have to keep pushing and keep going for everything."

United benefitted from another outstanding midfield performance from Casemiro at Wembley, while he became just the third Brazilian to net in an EFL Cup final with his header – after both Philippe Coutinho and Fernandinho did so in 2016.

Asked about Casemiro's impact, Rashford added: "He makes a huge difference with his leadership and experience in big games, it's huge for us. 

"When he's on the pitch you feel that sense of security behind you. I'm buzzing for him, for his first trophy for the club."

Erik ten Hag is convinced success can breed success at Manchester United after the Red Devils' trophy drought ended at Wembley.

Casemiro's header and an own goal from Sven Botman carried the Red Devils to a 2-0 win over Newcastle United in Sunday's EFL Cup final.

It gave the Mancunian giants a first major trophy since Jose Mourinho's side won the Europa League in 2017, and there could be more silverware to come in Ten Hag's debut season as manager.

They remain in the FA Cup and Europa League, and while a Premier League title push still seems unlikely, it is not entirely out of the question.

Ten Hag told Sky Sports: "First, you have to win the first one, and that is what we did today. I think you get a lot of inspiration from this, but also more confidence that we can do it.

"I think we are still in a start to restore Manchester United where it belongs and that is winning trophies and this is the first one."

He saluted the players that ended the club's barren run, saying: "They are really well connected with each other, they challenge each other as well. In the moment it's difficult, they help each other out. It's good to see, and I think it's the best a manager can get."

He suggested it would be the coaching team and staff celebrating long into the night, rather than the players, given United have an FA Cup game against West Ham on Wednesday.

While it was not a dazzling performance from the Dutchman's team, Ten Hag was more than content.

"We had again the right spirit, it's a very good spirit of the team. It was not always the best football, but I think it was effective," he said.

Pointing to the influence of senior figures, the former Ajax boss added: "I said before the game that Rapha Varane, Casemiro, David De Gea, they know how to win trophies.

"You need such lads on the pitch to point the team, to coach the team, to organise the team. Not only from a tactical perspective but also especially from a mental perspective, it's so important.

"The winning attitude, they have to bring it in the dressing room, they have to bring it in the team in difficult situations."