David de Gea has gone level with Peter Schmeichel for the most clean sheets in Manchester United history courtesy of his shutout in Sunday's 3-0 win over Leicester City.
The Spaniard - who has been the Red Devils' number one for over a decade now - kept his 180th clean sheet for the club in his 521st appearance during their Premier League success against the Foxes.
Schmeichel achieved the same number of shutouts in 386 appearances, and De Gea could now break the Dane's record in Thursday's Europa League showdown with Barcelona.
The former Atletico Madrid man displayed his shot-stopping acumen in the first half to protect his record-equalling clean sheet, producing stunning reaction saves from Harvey Barnes and Kelechi Iheanacho.
However, Erik ten Hag's revitalised side dictated the play in the second half and ultimately ran out comfortable winners thanks to Marcus Rashford's brace and Jadon Sancho's effort.
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De Gea's clean sheet at Old Trafford was his 10th of the Premier League season, and third-placed Man United have now moved to within just three points of Manchester City in the table.
Ten Hag admitted that his side put on a "rubbish" display in the first half and had De Gea to thank for the goalless scoreline, telling Sky Sports News: "I was really unhappy by our performance.
"We have to follow the rules and principles from our way of playing. When you don't, it becomes a mess and when you face a good opponent like Leicester, you concede chances.
"And it was only down to David de Gea that we don't concede a goal. So we were really lucky at half time that we were 1-0 up. Of course, a great pass by Bruno [Fernandes], a great finish by Rashy. But for the rest was rubbish."
Following the retirement of Edwin van der Sar in 2011, De Gea was signed from Atletico Madrid to become the Dutchman's successor, with the Red Devils paying €25m (£22.2m) for the Spaniard.
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De Gea won the Premier League in just his second year at the club, and he has since helped the Red Devils to Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup glory, as well as three Community Shields.
However, the 32-year-old's long-term future has been called into question for a couple of years now, as his contract at Old Trafford is due to expire at the end of the season.
While there is an option to extend his deal until 2024 - clauses that have been triggered in the contracts of Rashford, Fred, Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw - Man United are yet to activate that extension.
De Gea is Man United's highest earner on a reported £375,000 per week, but he is supposedly willing to accept a significant pay cut in order to sign a new contract.
The Spain international recently affirmed that contract talks with Man United would end in a "good way", but the Red Devils are said to be lining up Leeds United's Illan Meslier as a potential successor.
Ben Knapton
