Manchester United currently have some brilliant stoppers on their books with David de Gea and Dean Henders, but it’s certainly not always been that way for them in the Premier League.
Here, we rank the top five goalkeepers who have played for the Red Devils throughout their history.
5. Raimond van der Gouw
Dutch stopper has arrived at Old Trafford in 1996 from Vitesse Arnheim, Manchester United’s best back-up of the Premier League era, proving reliable whenever the Red Devils best ever stopper Peter Schmeichel was sidelined.
He eventually got more opportunities after the Dane departed from the club in 1999, competing with Bosnich for the starting spot. He played 14 appearances in the 1999-2000 season and won the back-to-back league titles.
4. Fabien Barthez
The Legendary French goalkeeper was seen as the man to fill Schmeichel’s shoes, however, never fully convinced but still he was one of the best stoppers to have played at Old Trafford.
He’s remembered for his erratic behaviour and individual errors as much as anything else, however, he was still a very good stopper and certainly enjoyed a successful period at Old Trafford as he managed to claim the two league trophies in three full years.
3. David de Gea
In terms of individual brilliance, De Gea is arguably one of the best who has ever played for Man Utd, however, he’s a victim of circumstance which means he can’t rank higher on this list.
The Spaniard played a vital role in the Red Devils 2013 title win, And he has since then never being the second choice at the club three consecutive years he was selected as the club player of the year and surely deserves to be on this list.
2. Edwin van der Sar
Dutch stopper has been one of the best to has played in the Premier League.
At 42.17%, he actually has the best games to clean sheets ratio of any Manchester United stopper to make over 50 Premier League appearances.
United during his period at the club Man Utd one of the best defensive teams in the Premier League.
A key part of arguably the club’s best-ever Premier League defensive unit, Van der Sar was as lucky to play behind one of the best defensive duo of all time Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.
Dutchman has won four league trophies and reached three Champions League finals in his time with the Red Devils, winning the first thanks to Van der Sar’s penalty save against Chelsea.
1. Peter Schmeichel
Schmeichel was one of the defining names that reestablished the Red Devils as a genuine superclub.
After 26 years without a league trophy, Schmeichel was a vital player under Alex Ferguson as they ended that wait in 1993 and established their status as the biggest and most successful team of the Premier League era.
He won five league trophies in eight years at the team and bowed out perfectly with his last appearance at the Camp Nou, lifting the Champions League title to complete their historic treble.
His aggressive, front-foot style was perfect just as the backpass rule was introduced at the advent of the Premier League.
