De Gea overtakes Schmeichel on Premier League clean-sheets chart

The 31-year-old registered a 129th clean sheet in the competition during Saturday’s frustrating 0-0 draw with Watford at Old Trafford, where the Reds dominated but couldn’t find a breakthrough. 

De Gea is more interested in the team’s performance than individual milestones, of course, but we feel it is worth noting the in-form Spaniard’s climb up the charts. 

David’s shutout at the weekend propelled him above United great Schmeichel, who notched 128 clean sheets during his popular Old Trafford career. 

CLOSING IN ON THREE GKS

De Gea is now just three clean sheets shy of Edwin van der Sar, Tim Howard, and Brad Friedel, who are all level at seventh position on the table.

Perhaps the most prominent name of that trio is van der Sar; the Dutchman winning a Champions League and four Premier League titles during his six-year stay at United between 2005 and 2011.

Howard also has history with the Reds, with the American shot-stopper featuring under Sir Alex Ferguson 77 times during his four-year stint at the club, before departing for Everton on a permanent deal in 2007.

Fellow American Friedel, who often performed admirably at Old Trafford when playing for Blackburn Rovers, Aston Villa and Tottenham, is the final goalkeeper with a tally of 132 clean sheets.

De Gea’s individual form has garnered much acclaim this season, with the Spaniard racking up seven shutouts in the Premier League so far, earning the league's Player of the Month award for January in the process.

And with 11 fixtures remaining for United in this season's competition, De Gea has every chance of climbing further up the all-time clean-sheets table before the season is out.

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)