MANCHESTER United and Saints boast British football’s two most expensive goalkeepers – but has Ronald Koeman signed the better No 1?

That is the question being asked on the south coast after Fraser Forster’s displays in helping Saints to a remarkable defensive record.

David De Gea cost Sir Alex Ferguson a British record £17.8m when he arrived in 2011 from Atletico Madrid – £7.8m MORE than Saints paid Celtic for current England international Forster last summer.

Only this week United signed ex-Barcelona man Victor Valdes, who instantly claimed that De Gea “is the best goalkeeper in the world” at this moment in time.

But it’s the Southampton man who has the better record going into tomorrow’s mouth-watering Premier League clash at Old Trafford.

Forster has only conceded 15 goals in his 20 league appearances, and only three times has he conceded more than one in a game.

In contrast, De Gea has conceded 20 goals in the same amount of appearances.

Forster has kept NINE clean sheets already – three more than his more expensive colleague at Old Trafford.

Away from home, Forster also has the best record of any top flight keeper.

He has only shipped eight goals in his nine away games, while Dea Gea has let in 13 in 10 – including an astonishing five at Leicester in September.

Saints’ defence has also been far better than United’s in preventing the opposition from shooting.

In 20 games, Forster has had to make only 40 saves – compared to De Gea’s 58.