While scoring a goal is the ultimate objective in football for most outfield players, goalkeepers tend to pride themselves on how many clean sheets or shutouts they make.

A clean sheet happens when a goal denies the opposition team from scoring a goal past him or her in a game.

Keeping a clean sheet, of course, is by no means an easy task considering the ultimate goal of the opposition team is to put the ball into the back of the net.

That said, there are a select few goalkeepers who have made it a habit of keeping clean sheets in a good proportion of games that they are a part of.

If anything, keeping a clean sheet in the Premier League - the most competitive football league in the world - is harder than in any other top-flight in Europe.

The Premier League has only gotten more competitive over the years with not much separating the teams owing to the vast riches of the league that enables even bottom-half clubs to secure the services of top talents.

With that in mind, here’s a closer look at the leading shot-stoppers who have kept the most clean sheets in Premier League 2022-23.

Most clean sheets in Premier League 2022-23

Player	Club	Clean Sheets
David de Gea	Manchester United	17
Alisson	Liverpool	14
Nick Pope	Newcastle United	13
Aaron Ramsdale	Arsenal	13
Jose Sa	Wolverhampton Wanderers	11
Emiliano Martinez	Aston Villa	11
David Raya	Brentford	11
Ederson	Manchester City	11
Kepa Arrizabalaga	Chelsea	9
Lukasz Fabianski	West Ham United	8

David de Gea - 17 clean sheets

Winner of the Premier League 2017-18 Golden Glove and the 2012-13 title with Manchester United, David de Gea has kept more clean sheets for the Red Devils than any other player in the history of the club. Even though de Gea has conceded more than 40 goals in the league this season, the Spaniard has come up trumps on several occasions and saved United’s blushes numerous times in the ongoing campaign. He has kept 17 clean sheets in the Premier League this season and is a top contender to bag his second Golden Glove in the league.

Alisson - 14 clean sheets

Liverpool custodian Alisson has already won the Premier League golden glove twice since joining the Merseyside club. He won the award in the 2018-19 and the 2021-22 seasons. The Brazilian goalkeeper is a brilliant shot-stopper and is also capable of tidy distribution of the ball. An imposing presence, Alisson makes for an authoritative figure in both penalty boxes and has also scored a goal from a set piece for Liverpool in the past. He also has three assists to his name which highlights his fine distribution and has recorded 14 clean sheets in the ongoing Premier League campaign.

Nick Pope - 13 clean sheets

After joining Newcastle United from Burnley in the summer, Nick Pope has gone from strength to strength with his new team. His shot-stopping ability has been evident for all to see and his consistent displays have also helped him cement a spot in the England national team squad. Interestingly, his outstanding form this season has seen the England international win two Save of the Month prizes in the ongoing campaign. He’s conceded just 24 goals this season - the least in the league - and has kept 13 clean sheets to become a driving force behind Newcastle’s mean defence.

Aaron Ramsdale - 13 clean sheets

Another England international who has shone in between the post for Arsenal this season, Aaron Ramsdale has played a crucial role in the Gunners�?title tilt in the ongoing campaign. He’s pulled off some marvelous and at times unbelievable saves to frustrate opponents while being a fine distributor of the ball. Ramsdale, who has already bagged one Save of the Month award in 2022-23, has also provided an assist to further highlight his ability with the ball at his feet. He’s conceded just over 30 goals in Premier League 2022-23 and has kept 13 clean sheets.

Photo credit: Alamy

Manchester United (MUN) host age-old rivals Arsenal (ARS) in Matchday 14 of the Premier League 2021-22 season on Friday, December 3. The match will kick off at 1:45 AM IST.

MUN vs ARS Dream11 prediction

Since the departure of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Red Devils have secured two positive results, having beaten Villareal 2-0 in the Champions League and later played out a 1-1 draw against table-toppers Chelsea in the Premier League. While Ralf Rangnick has been appointed as the interim manager, he won’t be available to take charge owing to work permit issues and Michael Carrick is set to take charge for the high-profile clash.

On the other hand, Arsenal bounced back strongly from their defeat to Liverpool in the Premier League as the Gunners defeated Newcastle United 2-0 at the Emirates Stadium.

With 23 points from 13 matches, Mikel Arteta’s side is currently placed fifth in the standings and are five points clear of eighth-placed United. 

However, Manchester United have a superior head-to-head record against Arsenal in the Premier League, winning 24 of the 58 matches played between these two clubs. Arsenal have claimed 16 victories while 18 matches have ended in draws.

Interestingly, Arsenal are unbeaten in their last six Premier League meetings with Manchester United and have not conceded a goal to United since September 2019.

�?/span>Since it is going to be a massive clash with respect to the Premier League standings, a draw seems to be the most likely outcome on Friday.

MUN vs ARS Dream11 team tips for Premier League 2021-22

Top tip: Best forward

Manchester United forward Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return to the starting XI after coming on from the bench against Chelsea on Sunday. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner has scored four goals and bagged two assists in 10 league matches so far. Having suffered a slight dip in form, Ronaldo will look to get back to his goal-scoring ways in the Premier League against Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Top tip: Best midfielder

Emile Smith Rowe has been one of the standout players for Arsenal this season. The 21-year-old has bagged five goals in 15 matches across competitions, helping Arsenal find form. The England international has already accumulated 62 fantasy points this season and will be a valuable addition to any fantasy team.

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

Arsenal’s Gabriel has formed a formidable centre-back partnership with Ben White at the heart of defence. The 23-year-old Brazilian has impressed in the ongoing Premier League season since returning from an injury. He will play an important role for the Gunners against Manchester United and is expected to add to his 54 fantasy points on Wednesday.

For the goalkeeper spot, United’s David de Gea will be the overwhelming choice over Aaron Ramsdale of Arsenal. The Red Devils have already conceded 22 goals in 13 Premier League matches this season and it could have been worse if not for de Gea. The Spaniard has made some incredible saves in Premier League 2021-22 to keep United in the game and David de Gea is expected to be under the pump against a confident Arsenal forward line, meaning he’ll be among the saves which in turn translates to fantasy points.

MUN vs ARS probable playing XI

MUN playing XI (probable): David de Gea; Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Alex Telles; Nemanja Matic, Fred, Scott McTominay; Bruno Fernandes; Jadon Sancho, Cristiano Ronaldo

ARS playing XI (probable): Aaron Ramsdale; Takehiro Tomiyasu, Ben White, Gabriel, Nuno Tavares; Thomas Partey, Albert Sambi Lokonga; Gabriel Martinelli, Martin Odegaard, Emile Smith Rowe; Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

SportsAdda will bring you Manchester United vs Arsenal live score.

Featured photo: Anthony Devlin / AFP

Manchester United (MUN) will look to return to winning ways when they lock horns with Tottenham Hotspur (TOT) in Gameweek 10 of Premier League 2021-22 at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Saturday, October 30. The match will kick off at 10:00 PM IST.

The Red Devils head into the Tottenham fixture under immense pressure after suffering a humiliating 0-5 defeat against arch-rivals Liverpool at Old Trafford. Furthermore, United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s job is under threat after managing just a solitary win in their last five Premier League matches. With 14 points from nine matches, Manchester United are currently placed seventh in the standings and are eight points behind league leaders Chelsea.

On the other hand, Tottenham have also been inconsistent in the ongoing edition of the Premier League. Under new manager Nuno Espírito Santo, the Lilywhites have won five and lost four matches in PL 2021-22 so far. Spurs are currently placed sixth in the standings and are one point ahead of United.

TOT vs MUN Dream11 Prediction

Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United have faced each other 195 times so far, with the Red Devils holding the upper hand, winning 92 matches while Spurs have secured 53 victories and 50 matches have ended in draws. Going by recent form, it is difficult to predict a clear winner although home advantage might just be enough for Spurs to shade the contest.

TOT vs MUN Dream11 team tips for Premier League 2021-22

Top tip: Best forward

Manchester United talisman Cristiano Ronaldo has scored 10 goals against Tottenham - his most against any English opposition. He has netted six for United while another four for Real Madrid against Spurs. Since making a return to the Premier League, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner has already scored five goals for United in all competitions so far and is likely to trouble the shaky Tottenham defence on Saturday.

Top tip: Best midfielder

In midfield, Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg pips the likes of Scott McTominay, Fred of Manchester United and his teammate Oliver Skipp. The 26-year-old Danish international has featured in all nine matches for Spurs in the Premier League and has netted one goal and assisted once so far. He will play an important role for the hosts if they want to bag maximum points from the match.

Top tip: Best defender and goalkeeper

While both Tottenham and United’s defences have been shaky, conceding 13 and 15 goals respectively, one must pick Spurs left-back Sergio Reguilon in your fantasy team. Since his move from Sevilla to Tottenham, Reguilon has been impressive including bagging a goal in their 6-1 win over Manchester United last season.

Among goalkeepers, Manchester United’s David de Gea will be the preferred choice over Hugo Lloris of Tottenham Hotspur. The 30-year-old Spanish custodian has been in good form for United and has also made some incredible saves in recent matches in the Premier League. 

TOT vs MUN probable playing XI

TOT probable XI (4-2-3-1): Hugo Lloris (captain and goalkeeper); Sergio Reguilon, Eric Dier, Christian Romero, Emerson Royal; Oliver Skipp, Pierre-Emile Hojberg; Heung-min Son, Lucas Moura, Tanguy Ndombele; Harry Kane

MUN probable XI (4-2-3-1): David de Gea (goalkeeper); Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire (captain), Victor Lindelof, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Scott McTominay, Fred; Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho; Cristiano Ronaldo

Featured photo: Oli SCARFF / AFP

Spanish left-back Sergio Reguilon is heading to the Premier League but will be joining Tottenham Hotspur and not Manchester United, as had been widely speculated for most of the transfer window.

The Red Devils seemed in pole position to secure Reguilon’s signature but were unwilling to meet Real Madrid’s asking price and their condition of including a buyback clause for the player �?which proved to be a major stumbling block in the deal between the clubs.

Tottenham have conceded to Real Madrid BOTH clauses they’ve asked for Reguilon: buy back and pre-emption.#MUFC have always refused any clause to bring back the player - it was the main issue. ⚪️ #THFC

The final price of the clauses and more details: http://t.co/CrRIIC5XOA

�?Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) September 16, 2020

Spurs�?acceptance of Madrid’s terms paved the way for a swift deal for Reguilon, leaving United a bit red-faced and with the feeling of being used to entice more bidders for the player.

It isn’t the first time United have been left in this position by Madrid and history suggests that it won’t be the last. The truth is the Red Devils and Los Blancos haven’t been on the best of terms for some time now and this latest episode is just another reminder of that.

The seeds of mistrust

The souring of the two football giants�?relationship, in fact, can be traced all the way back to 2008 when then United manager Sir Alex Ferguson took offence to nature of Madrid’s pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo.

Unimpressed by the tactics used by Madrid to lure Ronaldo to the Bernabeu, Ferguson labelled the Spanish heavyweights as the ‘mob�?and said that ‘I wouldn't sell them a virus�?let alone Ronaldo.

Ultimately Ferguson managed to ward off the Spanish outfit’s interest for another year before Ronaldo joined Los Blancos for 80m pounds �?then a world record transfer fee �?in 2009. It was here that seeds of animosity between the two clubs started to grow.

Fasttrack to 2013 in the post-Fergie era and the relationships between the two began to get even more strained following the last-minute collapse of a move that would have seen Portuguese left-back Fábio Coentrão join United from Madrid.

The next episode in the already fractured relationship between the two teams came in the form of Angel Di Maria, who Los Blancos were eager to get rid off from their books despite the Argentine's dazzling display in their Champions League triumph.

Sensing the mood at the Spanish capital, Di Maria was ready for a move away from the club and wanted to join Paris Saint-Germain. However, Financial Fair Play (FFP) regulations meant that it wasn’t possible for PSG to bid for Di Maria in that transfer window.

As a result, Di Maria was shipped off to United and in hindsight, it now looks like a stop-gap both Real and the Argentine were possibly aware of. Di Maria would go on to spend just 12 destabilizing months at Old Trafford before joining PSG in the following summer to leave United and their fans with a bitter taste on the tongue.

A dodgy fax machine

However, the tipping point in the relationship between the clubs came in the summer of 2016 when United goalkeeper David de Gea looked destined to join Real only for a deadline day collapse due to paperwork not being submitted in time, which has since been infamously blamed on a faulty fax machine.

The cold stand-off between the two clubs only intensified over the next summer when United outbid Real to sign French midfielder Paul Pogba, who had long been on Los Blancos�?radar.

Real captain Sergio Ramos�?future was another flashpoint in the tumultuous relationship between the teams. While angling for a salary hike and contract extension at Real, Ramos made it clear that he was ready to join the red side of Manchester.

Reguilon not the first Sergio that got away

It even looked like he was United-bound at one stage, but Real came good at the last minute and secured their captain’s future to leave United a bit embarrassed and with the feeling of being used solely for the purpose of getting a better deal.

"There was an offer from United," Ramos told COPE. "I considered changing for a while but Real Madrid was always my priority and there were no economic reasons."

That feeling seems to have resurfaced in the ongoing transfer window with another Sergio who is on Madrid’s books. United for the longest part looked like they were to get their man but once again Real seem to have played their hand perfectly.

Not only will Spurs meet Madrid’s asking price of 30m euros for Reguilon, they have also agreed to insert the buyback clause that Real wanted in the contract �?a major obstacle to the deal for United.

With Reguilon now London-bound, it’s important for United to ask themselves if it’s worth being dragged into business with Madrid. Going by their past record, the Red Devils have been used to drum up interest for Madrid and their players more than once.

Reguilon is merely the latest chapter in a long and dodgy recent past that the clubs share. United will do well to finally learn from this experience and ensure that they don’t continue repeating their naïve mistakes while dealing with Real Madrid �?a club which unlike United is way more competent in dealing in transfers and contract extensions behind the scenes.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Lars Baron

David de Gea is mentally strong enough to deal with fierce criticism following a series of costly goalkeeping blunders for Manchester United, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old Spaniard's place as United's number one is under severe pressure after he was at fault for two goals in United's 3-1 FA Cup semi-final defeat against Chelsea on Sunday.

It came after other glaring errors over the past 18 months from De Gea, previously considered among the best goalkeepers in the world.

Solskjaer, speaking at his pre-match press conference, was determined to keep the focus on Wednesday's game against West Ham rather than the struggles of his goalkeeper.

"This is not going to become a David de Gea press conference," he said. "We're just going to stick together. We've got two games, so we're just going to focus on that one.

"David's mentally strong enough to know that his job is to perform in training the next day and then be ready for the games."

Dean Henderson is snapping at De Gea's heels after impressing on loan at Sheffield United while Sergio Romero, the back-up goalkeeper surprisingly omitted from the FA Cup semi-final starting line-up, is waiting in the wings.

Solskjaer has a significant decision to make about the position for their penultimate Premier League match of the season, given victory would give his fifth-placed side a huge boost in the Champions League race.

Leicester's 3-0 loss at Tottenham on Sunday means United are not only level with the fourth-placed Foxes on 62 points but on goal difference as well, with the clubs going toe-to-toe at the King Power Stadium in the fascinating season finale on Sunday.

Solskjaer was under intense pressure himself earlier in the season but a long unbeaten run either side of the coronavirus shutdown has turned their campaign around.

The Norwegian said it was clear that United were on the right track.

"It is in our own hands," he said. "I don't want to talk about how much it (Champions League) will mean financially or to attract people. We just have to focus on the next two games and make sure we are there."

Eric Bailly was taken to hospital after a nasty clash of heads with fellow United defender Harry Maguire on Sunday and Solskjaer said he was unlikely to feature against West Ham.

"Eric stayed down in London after for all the checks," he said.

"I didn't see him yesterday. He's following the protocols that's needed so, for me, I don't think that he'll be ready for this game."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Oli Scarff

In a crunch semifinal between two powerhouses, the game was precariously was balanced at 1-0. 

The next goal was likely going to tilt the tie in the scorer’s favour and hence, both teams came out of the break aiming to keep their backdoor shut. 

But early into the second half, some loose play in the final third gave the team in blue an opportunity to score and despite a tame shot from the local academy graduate, the ball found its way into the back of the net owing to a disappointing effort from the Spanish goalkeeper. 

That error cost them the tie and was just another one in a long list of lapses in the previous 18 months from a player that had carried the club on his back for years. 

That game we are talking about is the 2014-15 Champions League semifinal second leg between Real Madrid and Juventus, which marked the last time that club legend Iker Casillas played for the Los Blancos in the UEFA Champions League. 

And much like that game and his error on Alvaro Morata’s shot sealed San Iker’s fate, the FA Cup semifinal on Sunday between Chelsea and Manchester United, where a similar story unfolded, could mark the end of David de Gea’s tenure as United’s #1 in goal.

Dean Henderson is the future

Away from the commotion at Old Trafford, United loanee Dean Henderson, who has been plying his trade with Sheffield United for two seasons, is having another tremendous season for the team from South Yorkshire.

The 23-year-old has kept 13 clean sheets, two fewer than league-leader Nick Pope and one more than de Gea. A magnificent shot-stopper, commanding in the air and good with the ball at his feet, Henderson is being sought by clubs in England and abroad, with London giants Chelsea keen to have the English goalkeeper on their books. 

United though, have been insistent that Henderson is not for sale. Speaking about the keeper and his future, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was quoted as saying, "Dean's done really well for them and Sheffield United has been really good for him. He'll come back one day and he'll have a good career at Man United.�?/span>

The loanee himself is keen on making his mark at his boyhood club but is open to leaving the club if the opportunity doesn’t present itself. “I think it’s clear for everyone to know, I want to play for Manchester United and England. Maybe I’ll get the opportunity (to play for Man United), maybe I won’t, then I’ll have to look down a different avenue.�?/span>

Given Henderson’s incredible rise and upside, it’s impossible to see Manchester United parting ways with the Englishman. At just 23, the keeper has a full season’s experience under his belt in the Premier League and has shown that he is up to the task at that level. 

With a slew of suitors and his own desire to play for the club, it would have been incredibly difficult for United to accommodate the keeper into the first XI, but the decision has been made slightly easier by David de Gea’s erratic performance over the past 18 months.

David declining

David de Gea has been United’s best player since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

The Spaniard making jaw-dropping saves was a weekly sight for close to three years and was usually the difference between winning and losing for United.

Low & hard from Mason Mount! #EmiratesFACup #MUNCHE pic.twitter.com/8DZE2TnmWB

�?The Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) July 19, 2020

However, since the start of last season, the Spaniard has seemingly lost his edge. He leads the Premier League in errors leading to goals with seven over the past 24 months and his error against Chelsea on Sunday further illustrates that de Gea, like Casillas in 2015, is on the decline. 

With United finally finding some coherence in their outfield personnel, the last thing the club would want is an issue in the goalkeeping department.

Every goalkeeper is bound to an error once in a while, however, de Gea has been erratic for close to two years and no longer exhumes the same confidence he once did. 

0 - Based on Opta's expected goals on target data (xGoT), David de Gea has conceded the same tally of goals that the model would expect the 'average' GK to concede over the last two PL seasons, compared to preventing 14 goals with his saves in the 2017-18 campaign alone. Regress? pic.twitter.com/eekug6tDr2

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 20, 2020

Manager Ole Gunnar Soslkjaer recently called him ‘the best goalkeeper in the world�? and while that was true not too long ago, the Spaniard can no longer lay a claim to that throne and may in fact not even be the best goalkeeper currently employed by Manchester United.

The club have a decision on their hands and right now, it seems clear. Henderson is six years younger than de Gea, better at commanding the box and while he has an error or so in him, he’s yet to commit a slew of those like the Spaniard.

Manchester United will forever be grateful for his incredible service, but as of today, it seems David de Gea is close to the end of his tenure as United’s #1 between the goalposts. 

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Peter Cziborra, Peter Powell

Less than a week after saying he 'never lost faith' in David De Gea, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admitted David De Gea's place is not guaranteed after the goalkeeper endured another error-strewn display in Manchester United's FA Cup semi-final defeat to Chelsea.

Chelsea will face London rivals Arsenal in the final on August 1 thanks to a pair of embarrassing blunders from De Gea in United's 3-1 loss at Wembley on Sunday.

The Spaniard's nightmare season hit a new low as he was at fault when Olivier Giroud's shot trickled over the line late in the first half.

And De Gea made an even worse mistake moments after the interval when he allowed Mason Mount's shot to evade his weak attempted save.

Harry Maguire's own goal was also partly down to De Gea's slow reactions as United lost for the first time in 20 games in all competitions despite Bruno Fernandes' late penalty.

"He knows he should save that 100 times out of 100 but that's football for you," Solskjaer said.

"I can't speak for David De Gea's confidence but he is mentally very strong. I made the decision to play him and mentally, he was ready for it."

Asked if De Gea would be replaced by Sergio Romero when United return to action against West Ham in Wednesday's crucial Premier League clash, Solskjaer would not rule out dropping his star.

"Obviously, everyone has to perform. Everyone has a chance every time we perform to stake a claim in the team," he said.

"David knows he should have saved the second goal, but that's done now and we have to look forward to Wednesday.

"It's hard for a keeper to make amends. David showed his character in the rest of the game with a few good saves."

De Gea's future at United is sure to be scrutinised given the fine form of the club's on-loan keeper Dean Henderson during his spell at Sheffield United this season.

Solskjaer has already labelled Henderson a future England number one and it would be no surprise if he is back at Old Trafford to challenge De Gea for the keeper's jersey next season.

While the spotlight was on De Gea, Chelsea were by far the better team as they reached the FA Cup final for the first time since they last lifted the trophy in 2018.

United had beaten Chelsea three times this season, but Lampard had the last laugh.

"To win a semi is a great thing, but to win a final is the thing," Lampard said.

"We don't want to get too far ahead of ourselves but we can certainly enjoy the performance and the result.

"It is obviously right up there because of the size of the game and quality of the opponent."

Comedy of errors

United, who started with Paul Pogba and Anthony Martial on the bench, looked out of sync after switching to a back three formation and Solskjaer said: "You always question your decisions.

"Chelsea had an extra 48 hours rest, that's just a fact but it's no excuse.

"We lost concentration and that was disappointing. We were a little too late in some situations and the second goal was very avoidable."

Chelsea took the lead deep into first-half stoppage-time with Giroud's fourth goal in his last five games.

Anticipating Azpilicueta's low cross perfectly, Giroud made an astute run in front of Victor Lindelof and flicked his close-range shot past the slow-to-react De Gea with the outside of his foot.

If that was bad from De Gea, there was even worse to come one minute after half-time.

It was a comedy of errors from United as Brandon Williams gifted possession to Mount in midfield.

Advancing unchecked by United's back-pedalling defence, Mount hit a long-range drive that lacked power and should have been saved by De Gea, but instead, it squirmed through his grasp into the net.

Chelsea put the result beyond doubt in the 74th minute when Mount found Marcos Alonso and Maguire turned the Spaniard's cross into his own net under pressure from Antonio Rudiger.

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Andy Rain

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says he has never considered dropping David de Gea "for one second" as the Spanish goalkeeper prepares to make his 400th appearance for Manchester United.

Signed as a wiry 20-year-old from Atletico Madrid in 2011, the 'keeper overcame initial struggles to establish himself as one of the best shot-stoppers in the Old Trafford giants' history.

De Gea was a fax machine error away from joining Real Madrid in 2015 but the goalkeeper is now committed to United until at least 2023 and will made his 400th outing for the club against Southampton on Monday.

• Man Utd blow chance to move up to third after Southampton strike late

The 29-year-old has won United's player of the year award for four of the six seasons since Alex Ferguson retired but questions over his position continue, with Dean Henderson impressing on loan at Sheffield United.

Yet Solskjaer has retained belief in a goalkeeper he recently called the best in the world, even during a shaky spell last season.

Asked if he had considered dropping him or taking him out of the firing line, the United boss said: "It did not cross my mind for one second. Not at all.

"To be a Man United goalkeeper, you have to have a strong mentality. David has a strong mentality and he has been here for so long.

"He is now going to come up to 400 games and you don't do that by being afraid of the limelight or being afraid of Old Trafford."

De Gea usurped Peter Schmeichel's tally of 398 United appearances in Thursday's 3-0 win at Aston Villa, with Alex Stepney now the only goalkeeper to have played for the club more.

It will take a while to match his figure of 539 but Solskjaer is convinced the Spaniard has plenty of years in him yet.

"He has come out and said he wants to play many, many more, maybe 10 more years," said the United boss.

Solskjaer said De Gea, who won the Premier League in 2013, was driven by a desire to win the top trophies with United, who have slipped from their position of dominance in English football since Ferguson left the club.

"I don't think he'll be happy until he wins the bigger trophies because staying at Man United in this time and not having won more, I think that's something that he will feel is a black dot in his career."

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis

The period between 2010 and 2019 was a difficult one for Manchester United. While arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester City soared to great heights, the Red Devils found themselves in an endless circle of rebuild. 

Manchester United won just a solitary Premier League title during this period, while there was also the Europa League success along with a couple of domestic cups. Transfers haven’t always hit the mark during the last decade, with chief executive Ed Woodward, who handled the incomings and outcomings since 2013, widely criticized and ridiculed for the job he had done. 

Yet, there have been a handful of success stories with signings and here we take a look at five of the best signings that the 20-time English champions made between 2010 and 2019.

David de Gea

When Sir Alex Ferguson goes on a personal scouting mission skipping his team’s match, one should get an inkling that the player being watched must be a special talent. And that is what happened in the case of David de Gea. Signed from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2011 for a fee of £18.9 million, de Gea was brought in as the long-term replacement for club legend Edwin van der Sar. 

Read | Chelsea’s top five signings from the last decade

But the Spaniard endured a rocky first season in England with his lack of physicality being targeted by opposition teams repeatedly. The next season though, de Gea played a key role in United’s title triumph and there has been no looking back ever since. The 29-year-old has racked up close to 400 appearances for the club till date, growing into one of the best goalkeepers in the game along the way.

De Gea has won the club’s Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award on four occasions, has been named the club’s Players�?Player of the Year thrice and has won a Golden Glove as well. Last season saw a bit of decline in form, but the Manchester United No. 1 has come back strongly and continues to be a pivotal player for the Red Devils.

Robin van Persie

After getting beaten to the Premier League title in 2011-12 by rivals Manchester City on the final matchday, Sir Alex set out on a mission to add another weapon to his attacking arsenal. And in came Robin van Persie from Arsenal, after having had a whirlwind season during which he had finished as the league’s top scorer.

Read | Manchester City’s top five signings from the last decade

And it turned out to be a masterstroke by Ferguson as van Persie set about on a mission to bring back the Premier League trophy to Old Trafford, banging in goals left, right and centre. The sensational volley from the edge of the box against Aston Villa on the day that the title triumph was confirmed for United will remain long etched in the memories of the Red Devils�?supporters.

Van Persie duly delivered title no. 20 to Manchester United in his first season, scoring 30 goals along the way. But Ferguson’s retirement in the aftermath seemed to have an adverse effect on his stint at the club. The Flying Dutchman never really reached the same heights under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal and ended up leaving in 2015 after having scored 58 goals in 105 games for the club. His stint may have been short, but the £24 million that United paid for van Persie seems like a bargain.

Juan Mata

One of the signings of David Moyes�?short and forgettable stint at Old Trafford, Juan Mata arrived at Manchester United from rivals Chelsea in January 2014, after having been deemed surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge by Jose Mourinho.

Read | Juventus�?top five signings from the last decade

The Spaniard may not have reached the same heights as he did at Chelsea, but the fact that he has survived three managerial changes and has been an important player of the squad along the way makes him a worthy inclusion in this list. Mata is just one-match shy of 250 appearances for Manchester United and has scored 48 goals for the club, including a memorable bicycle kick against bitter rivals Liverpool at Anfield.

Mata has often had to deal with being in and out of the side, but every time he has come back stronger and has contributed with some important goals for the club along the way, while also taking up a senior leadership role, helping out the youngsters and the newcomers in the squad.

Anthony Martial

The Frenchman signed for Manchester United from AS Monaco on the transfer deadline day in 2015, for a fee that could rise up to £58m with bonuses, which made him the world’s most expensive teenager at the time. And when Martial scored his first goal for United, against Liverpool, on his debut, the investment already seemed worth it.

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Martial finished his first season at Old Trafford as the top scorer, but the arrival of Jose Mourinho the subsequent season saw his form dip. Following that, the 24-year-old endured a couple of inconsistent campaigns, although there were quite a few performances during that period showcasing the potential he possessed. 

The Frenchman seems to be back to his best this season, enjoying a productive campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after having been thrust with the responsibility of being the club’s lead striker. So far in his time with Manchester United, Martial has scored 64 goals in 208 appearances. With his best years ahead of him, that tally is ought to grow should the club keep hold of him.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He came, he saw, he conquered. Zlatan Ibrahimovic might not have been with Manchester United for a long time, but the impact that he made in a short spell will be ever-lasting. Signed for free after his contract with PSG had expired in 2016, there were a lot of questions over his signing with many feeling he might not be able to cope up with the rigours of English football at his age.

But Zlatan silenced all the naysayers and did it in some style. The iconic Swede kicked off his tenure at the club by firing them to the Community Shield triumph on his debut and then went on to score on his Premier League debut as well as his home debut at Old Trafford, soon becoming a fan favourite. The striker soon went on to become the oldest player (35y 125d) to score 15 PL goals in a single season.

Read | Barcelona’s top five signings from the last decade

Perhaps his most important performance came in the EFL Cup final against Southampton as he scored a double, including the match-winning goal, to lead United to another trophy, while he also won the Europa League trophy �?the only European success in his gloried career. 

A serious injury sustained towards the end of his debut season meant his future at the club was cast in doubts. But Zlatan made a strong recovery and added another goal to his Manchester United tally, before eventually leaving for LA Galaxy in March 2018. During his time, the Swede made 53 appearances for the club, bagging 29 goals and setting up 10 more. His aura, his persona will always be cherished by the supporters.

An eventful weekend in football brought along several surprises as Liverpool finally lost their first Premier League game of the season with Watford thrashing them 3-0 at home. Frank Lampard’s Chelsea drew 2-2 to Bournemouth, giving the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur a chance to close in the top-four deficit, but a certain Wolverhampton Wanderers pounced upon to make the English league even more interesting.

The giants of La Liga �?Real Madrid and Barcelona �?squared off on Sunday and a 2-0 win for the Galacticos mean they now acquire the top spot in the league. Plenty of analytical points to talk about from an action-packed weekend, but we give you some bizarre incidents that happened over the course.

David De Gea’s ANOTHER error:

Chelsea dropping points at Bournemouth was sure a booster for Manchester United in their pursuit of a top-four finish, but a howler from once termed as a ‘world-class�?goalkeeper, David De Gea hammered a dent in their chasing.

Let's take a minute and laugh at DE GEA
pic.twitter.com/MswseJ301d

�?FIRMINO F9 (@EmekwiNaukoth) March 1, 2020

Receiving a casual pass from his centre-back while the Everton strikers stayed in their line, the Spanish international took all the time in the world to decide who he should go with. In between his mind hunting, Dominic Calvert-Lewin decided to close the stopper, and the decision reaped fruit as his intervention ended into United’s net.

7 - David De Gea has made seven errors leading directly to an opposition goal in the Premier League since the start of last season, the joint-most alongside Martin Dubravka and Bernd Leno. Shocker. pic.twitter.com/WNoCTxhxds

�?OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 1, 2020

Leipzig’s cheeky response:

RB Leipzig’s Timo Werner has been quite vocal about his love for Liverpool, who are well on course to lifting their first-ever Premier League title. The Reds, however, were dealt with a blow after relegation-threatened Watford stunned them with a 3-0 win. Responding to the result, Leipzig decided to poke fun by replying the Reds on Twitter with a cheeky GIF of Werner.

Have a look:

pic.twitter.com/5AfvVGydPc

�?RB Leipzig (@DieRotenBullen) February 29, 2020

Vinicius Jr. did a Ronaldo:

In the clash of the Spanish titans, a certain Vinicius Jr. hogged the limelight with a breathtaking performance. The youngster, who scored his side’s opener in the 71st minute, celebrated his effort in an equally brilliant fashion. With Ronaldo present in the attendance, the Brazilian decided to rush towards the corner post before performing Ronaldo's 'Sii' celebration.

Vinicius does the Ronaldo celebration while CR7 is applauding in the stands pic.twitter.com/MZrEkmwpG6

�?stefan yu (@yutc0202) March 2, 2020

Lionel Messi’s shocking El Clasico record:

Lionel Messi has arguably made the biggest impact in Clasico derbies, but his record since Cristiano Ronaldo left Real Madrid for Juventus has been shocking, to the least. The Barcelona captain has now failed to score or assist in 11 of the last 15 games in all competitions, and five of those games have come after Ronaldo moved to Italy.

His last contribution against Real Madrid, in fact, came in May 2018 in a 2-2 draw; a game where Ronaldo scored as well.

John Stones is worth £50m:

Pep Guardiola delivered his eighth trophy for Manchester City in four years when his side defeated Aston Villa in EFL Cup final on Sunday. The highlight, however, remained how a certain John Stones gifted Villa an equalizer right before the half-time.

In an attempt to clear an aerial ball, the English defender fell over quite funnily which allowed Anwar El Ghazi to deliver a perfect ball for Mbwana Samatta, who brought his team right into the game.

John Stones being John Stones. pic.twitter.com/MzZMZo0cas

�?Josh Green (@Josh_pvfc) March 1, 2020

Feature image courtesy: AFP / Paul Ellis