By Chris,
January 28 2009

Tuesday evening saw Manchester United become the first club in Premier League history to keep eleven consecutive clean sheets. The achievement is all the more staggering when you consider the fact that United have been forced to field a series of makeshift defensive quartets. ManUtdWeb looks back over the incredible eleven-match run. The last time Manchester United conceded a league goal Christmas shopping had barely begun, George Bush was still in the White House, Harold Pinter hadn't yet passed away and American supercentenarian Edna Parker, aged 115, was still alive and remained validated as the oldest living person on Earth.

When United and Everton run out at Old Trafford on Saturday, it will be 83 days since the Red Devils last conceded a league goal. It came through Arsenal's Nasri as the Gunners claimed a 2-1 victory in North London way back on November 8^th.

It's been 11 matches and 1032 minutes since Edwin van der Sar was beaten. The Dutch shot stopper and tenacious centre-half Nemanja Vidic were the only two "ever-present" names in United's backline during the incredible run of matches. Van der Sar was so delighted to have beaten Peter Cech's record that he politely asked for the match-ball following United's 5-0 rout at the Hawthorns.

1. United 5-0 Stoke: The record was secured with a five-star drubbing of West Brom, and started in similar circumstances. Stoke didn't play that badly but were crushed by a sublime attacking display. Cristiano Ronaldo bagged his 100th and 101st United goals, with Michael Carrick, Dimitar Berbatov and Danny Welbeck also finding the target.

2. Aston Villa 0-0 United: Villa ended a run of 12 consecutive league defeats against United with this stalemate - but most Reds were content with a point against Martin O'Neill's talented side.

3. Man City 0-1 United: Ronaldo was dismissed after half-time, but United held on for the points and secured their third straight clean sheet in the process. Wayne Rooney bagged the only goal with 42 minutes on the clock.

4. United 1-0 Sunderland: Old Trafford erupted as Vidic fired home a last-gasp winner in stoppage time against a plucky Sunderland side. The Black Cats had soaked up so much pressure before the Reds snatched the win at the death.

5. Tottenham 0-0 United: On a weekend where all of the so-called 'Big Four' faltered, United claimed a decent point away at Harry Redknapp's rejuvenated Spurs. VDS pulled off cracking saves to deny David Bentley and Aaron Lennon.

6. Stoke 0-1 United: Another late winner. Andy Wilkinson's dismissal was crucial as Carlos Tevez sent the travelling masses into raptures before crowd trouble ensued.

7. United 1-0 Middlesbrough: Boro produced a determined display and didn't look like a side that should be battling against the drop. However, they were put to the sword thanks to Berbatov's 69^th-minute strike.

8. United 3-0 Chelsea: A fantastic day for the club. The Reds crush one of their main title rivals with a convincing second-half display. Vidic's header on the stroke of half-time was followed up by strikes from Berbatov and Rooney.

9. United 1-0 Wigan: Perhaps United's most fortunate win of the record-breaking run. Rooney scored in the opening minute before hobbling off injured, but the Latics dominated possession for long periods without finding an equaliser. After this, the media started hyping up the possibility of Chelsea's 10-match record bring broken.

10. Bolton 0-1 United: Another late goal, and yet another 1-0 win. The number of single-goal victories is testimony to how well United's makeshift defence has performed. Berbatov secured the win despite a number of excellent saves from Bolton's Jussi Jaaskelainen.

11. West Brom 0-5 United: Then came this convincing win. West Brom had a couple of second-half chances, but United comfortably secured an eleventh consecutive clean sheet and smashed home five goals in the process. Ronaldo bagged two goals, with Berbatov, Tevez and Vidic also scoring. Fantastic.

Well done Van der Sar, Vidic, the whole defensive unit, Sir Alex Ferguson, and everyone involved with Manchester United. Another phenomenal achievement - and hopefully the record can be extended when the Toffees come to Old Trafford for Saturday's rearranged fixture.