De Gea in reach of Schmeichel's United record
David De Gea is close to making even more history at Manchester United, with Peter Schmeichel’s long-standing clean-sheets record now within his grasp.
The Great Dane kept 180 clean sheets during his legendary Old Trafford career and he has been top of that particular club chart since leaving in 1999.
To register that number of clean sheets requires a great deal of longevity and, at the time of Schmeichel’s departure, it was hard to imagine anybody ever surpassing it.
However, when De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, aged 20, Sir Alex Ferguson hoped he could enjoy a long and successful career as our no.1. As always, the boss was right!
Twelve seasons and 519 appearances later, David is now just one shut-out away from equalling Schmeichel’s 180 and two away from breaking the historic record.
Check out the latest standings at the time of writing…
10: Frank Barrett = 54
9: Ray Wood = 55
8: Jack Crompton = 67
7: Harry Moger = 92
6: Alfred Steward = 96
5: Edwin van der Sar = 135
4: Gary Bailey = 161
3: Alex Stepney = 175
2: David De Gea = 179
1: Peter Schmeichel = 180