Manchester United duo Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have set a new club record by making the most starts in a single season for the club in the last 21 years.
The defensive duo started 55 out of United's 59 games last season.
According to the club's website, this is the most by a non-goalkeeper since Gary Pallister (58) in 1994/95 and the most by any player since Peter Schmeichel (56) in 1998/99.
The duo missed only four games each throughout last season.
Dutchman Blind didn't start in games against Everton (A), CSKA Moscow (A) and Manchester City (H) all in October and Norwich (A) in May.
Smalling missed games against Bournemouth (A) in December, FC Midtjylland (H) Arsenal (H) both in February, and Watford (H) in March.
They were the spine behind the team's enviable defensive record of the most clean sheets in the League (18) and least goals conceded (35), same with Tottenham Hotspur.
The last players to start over 50 games for United in a season in the last ten years are
- Wayne Rooney (51 in 2006/07)
- Rio Ferdinand (51 in 2007/08) and
- Nemanja Vidic (52 in 2008/09).
Defenders Steve Bruce and Denis Irwin both crossed the 60 starts a season mark, as the made a remarkably high 61 starts that season, in the 1993/94 season to help Sir Alex Ferguson's United to the double.
This is one more reason why José Mourinho can't afford to sell Daley Blind. He is durable, injury free, versatile and brilliant.
All stats used are from the Manchester United's official website.
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