A clean sheet against a struggling Everton side, compounded by a recent 10-point deduction for financial rule breaches, might seem routine.
For Onana, this victory is pivotal in boosting his confidence after a shaky start with Manchester United following a high-profile summer transfer from Inter. The Cameroon international currently shares the lead in this season’s Golden Glove race with Nick Pope and Sam Johnstone.
In a broader context, this clean sheet marks Manchester United’s 500th in the Premier League era, achieving this milestone well ahead of their traditional rivals.
Reflecting on the club’s goalkeeping history, United has seen a succession of notable keepers over the past 31 years, beginning with Peter Schmeichel, a key figure in the early Premier League years.
After Schmeichel’s departure in 1999, United faced challenges in finding a suitable replacement.
The likes of Mark Bosnich, Massimo Taibi, and Raimond van der Gouw had brief stints as the first choice, until the arrival of 1998 World Cup winner Fabien Barthez in 2000. While Barthez had notable highs, his inconsistency led to Tim Howard taking over in 2003.
Six years after Schmeichel’s departure, Edwin van der Sar became a reliable presence in United’s goal, arriving in 2005 and providing stability for the next six years.
Van der Sar even set a world record during the 2008/09 season by going an astonishing 1,311 minutes without conceding in the Premier League. When he retired in 2011, United turned to a young David de Gea, who, despite early challenges, became one of the best goalkeepers globally by 2014.
United faced a near-sale of De Gea to Real Madrid in 2015, but a failed paperwork submission via fax machine scuttled the deal. De Gea’s form fluctuated after 2018, leading to the decision in 2023 not to renew his contract. This departure paved the way for Andre Onana to join the club.
Manchester United’s recent clean sheet against Everton not only contributes to Onana’s growing confidence but also signifies the club’s rich goalkeeping history.
From Schmeichel to Van der Sar, De Gea, and now Onana, each goalkeeper has left a unique mark on the Premier League giant’s legacy, and the quest for defensive excellence continues at Old Trafford.
