ANKARA

Manchester United’s David De Gea has been named Premier League Player of the Month for January, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the award in over half a decade.

Southampton’s Fraser Forster was the last goalie to win the monthly prize back in February 2016.

“De Gea made an incredible 22 saves across Manchester United’s four matches in January, producing five in the 1-0 defeat by Wolverhampton Wanderers, seven in a 2-2 draw with Aston Villa and then a further eight to inspire a 3-1 win at Brentford,” read a Premier League statement on Friday.

The 31-year-old Spaniard has the most saves in England’s top football league this season.

His total of 84 is 13 more than his nearest challenger, Illan Meslier of Leeds United, the statement said.