David de Gea entered the Premier League record books on Saturday as he continued his fine season at Manchester United.
Despite the Reds’ issues on and off the pitch this season, the goalkeeper has been a clear standout for United during the 2021/22 campaign, with his performances helping keep them in the race for fourth in the Premier League.
De Gea has managed seven clean sheets so far this season, with his form leading to him winning January’s Player of the Month award.
And while it was another frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford as United were held to a goalless draw by Watford, there was at least some cause for celebration for De Gea as he kept yet another clean sheet.
The Spain international’s latest shut-out moved him above United legend Peter Schmeichel in the league’s all-time clean sheets table, and saw him enter the top 10 outright as he joined a host of big names.
The 31-year-old kept his 129th clean sheet against the Hornets to take him beyond Schmeichel’s tally of 128.
De Gea now finds himself just three behind another couple of former United goalkeepers, with Edwin van der Sar and Tom Howard sitting on 132 alongside former Blackburn and Tottenham stopper Brad Friedel.
And De Gea will have some of the other names on the list in his sights in the near future, with former Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina sixth with 136 clean sheets, while Nigel Martyn is just one ahead of him on 137 with David Seaman fourth on 141.
Mark Schwarzer (151), David James (169) and Petr Cech (202) make up the top three, with De Gea still having a fair way to go if he is to catch the former Chelsea and Arsenal goalkeeper.
Premier League all-time clean sheets
1 – Petr Cech (202)
2 – David James (169)
3 – Mark Schwarzer (151)
4 – David Seaman (141)
5 – Nigel Martyn (137)
6 – Pepe Reina (136)
7 = Brad Friedel (132)
7 = Tim Howard (132)
7 = Edwin van der Sar (132)
10 – David de Gea (129)
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