10 players who played the most minutes in the Premier League in the last five seasons

1) David De Gea – Manchester United: 15,554 minutes

De Gea has been United’s best player in the last three seasons

It comes as no surprise that Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea tops the Premier League charts having played more than 15,500 minutes in the past five years. Ever since joining the club as a 20-year-old, the Spaniard found it tough to cement his place in Sir Alex Ferguson’s lineup.

The physicality of the league had also seen him suffer and he was benched before Ferguson had no choice but to bring him back. Eventually, De Gea managed to improve his performances year-on-year and as the club struggled post-Fergie’s departure, it was De Gea who scooped up the Player of the Year award every single season.

The botched transfer deal with Real Madrid in 2015 came as a blessing in disguise for the Red Devils as the Spanish shot-stopper renewed his commitment to the English club and signed a new contract that will make it very tough for the Liga giants to prise him away from Old Trafford.