Manchester United ‘cannot miss this chance’ to win title after long wait, says David de Gea

United can go top of the table ahead of their clash with the reigning champions

Karl Matchett
Tuesday 12 January 2021 15:46 GMT
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David De Gea of Manchester United
David De Gea of Manchester United (Getty Images)

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Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea says his team must not waste the opportunity of the title fight they have given themselves recently.

It will be eight years, come the end of the season, since United’s last Premier League triumph, which came under Sir Alex Ferguson.

The club was well off the pace last season, ending 33 points behind winners Liverpool, but this campaign has the top clubs much closer together and the top two play each other at the weekend.

READ MORE: Premier League fixtures and table - all matches by date and kick-off time

By then, United could have displaced the Reds in top spot if they take a point or more against Burnley on Tuesday night and De Gea says the Red Devils must not let the opportunity slip away from them after several years playing catch-up.

“I have been fighting for the title in a couple of seasons when Sir Alex was here. Now we are there again and it’s taken us a lot of time to get there to be honest and we cannot miss this chance," he said.

“We have to be very, very focused in every game and try to win all of them. Hopefully if we are good physically and mentally then we can be there and we can fight for sure for the Premier League."

United have previously suffered from wild inconsistency over the past few seasons, but that is apparently blighting all teams in 2020/21 given the fixture changes, lack of pre-season, injuries and no fans in grounds. De Gea acknowledges there’s a long way to go, but wants his side to have the title-winning mentality of yesteryear.

“It’s true there is a lot to play yet, but of course it’s a chance to be there, to be top of the league.

“It’s a good challenge for us. We will play against a difficult team in Burnley, away from home, but if we want to win the league then we have to win these type of matches.

"I’m saying the same thing, but all we can do is focus on each match, take it game-by-game and be 100 per cent focused.”

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