Manchester United have had some outstanding goalkeepers during their illustrious history and here is a list of five of the best.
Manchester United have a proud history. The Red Devils are one of the most decorated football teams of all time.
From the innovative Matt Busby era to Sir Alex Ferguson’s legendary Premier League domination, the club has enjoyed a plethora of success.
Inevitably during their successful periods the Red Devils have been the home of some of the best goalkeepers in the world.
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Here is a list of the best five goalkeepers to have worn the Red Devils’ crest throughout the decades.
5. Harry Gregg
Club Appearances: 247
The first name on the list will be forever regarded as a legend at Old Trafford. While he was often a reliable and stalwart figure in between the sticks, Harry Gregg is remembered the most for his heroic actions during the club’s darkest time.
In the Munich air crash, Gregg pulled several of his teammates out of the burning plane and consequently saved their lives.
He served the club for almost ten years and he was voted the best goalkeeper at the 1958 FIFA World Cup.
4. David de Gea
Club Appearances: 394
The Spanish goalkeeper arrived at Old Trafford with big shoes to fill. Having to replace Edwin van der Sar would have been a mighty task for some of the best goalkeepers in the world at the time.
There is no denying de Gea, who was only 21 years of age at the time, initially struggled to settle into English football, however as he adapted his game he begun to thrive and De Gea has since become a stalwart figure for the Red Devils.
De Gea is now regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
3. Alex Stepney
Club Appearances: 539
Alex Stepney was one of the longest serving goalkeepers at the club. He spent 12 years at United and provided the steely hands to help secure the Red Devils their first ever European Cup in 1968. He was crucial in the final against Benfica and made a vital close-range save in order to deny the legendary Eusebio.
All together Stepney made 175 clean-sheets for United and even managed to get himself on the scoresheet twice.
In the end he moved to America after he fell out of favour at Old Trafford.
2. Peter Schmeichel
Club Appearances: 398
The Danish shot-stopper arrived at Old Trafford as a relatively unknown name. Not much was expected of the goalkeeper.
Schmeichel was brought in for merely half a million pounds from Danish side Brondby which was later described by Sir Alex Ferguson as the ‘bargain of the century’ via the BBC.
He spent eight years at the club and became a cult favourite at Old Trafford.
He even managed to get himself on the score-sheet with a freak goal from a corner and was a pivotal part of the United team which lifted the Champions League in 1999.
The only reason he doesn’t make it to number one is because he went onto play for United’s arch rivals Manchester City at the end of his career.
1. Edwin van der Sar
Club Appearances: 266
The Dutch goalkeeper arrived from Fulham to Old Trafford for just two million pounds.
Before Fulham, van der Sar spent successful spells at Ajax and Juventus.
When he arrived at United he was already 35 years old and few expected van der Sar to have such a successful career.
However, van der Sar proved age was just a number and became a star at Old Trafford.
His penalty saving heroics in the Champions League final against Chelsea remain ingrained in the United faithfuls minds.
His lanky frame and explosive and rapid reflexes made it impossible for the opposition to find a way past him.
Who was your favourite United goalkeeper?