Sergio Romero Comments on David De Gea, Louis van Gaal's Support and More

Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero insists he will fight to keep the No. 1 spot at Old Trafford despite the continuing presence of David De Gea at the club.  

De Gea's mooted deadline day move to Real Madrid collapsed at the final hour, and Romero now faces competition for his starting role from arguably the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.

The Argentina international is adamant he will fight for his place and has thanked manager Louis van Gaal for the trust he has placed in him, per Argentine newspaper La Nacion (h/t Sky Sports):

"

Playing for United is a dream and if God helps me this dream will never end. As I have been saying, I have to thank Van Gaal for trusting me. Although I had not done a pre-season, I started playing for the biggest club in the world. It's important for a goalkeeper to have this support because there is no rotation between goalkeepers—a goalkeeper starts or he is benched. They are the only two choices—there is not a third one.

Let me tell you, I don't think that the goalkeeper spot in United is already mine. I do know that I have a huge support from Van Gaal and his staff.

"

Romero has started all six matches of United's 2015-16 season so far—four Premier League games and two legs of a Champions League play-off—as De Gea was sidelined amid his continuing links to the Bernabeu.

The 28-year-old arrived at United on a free transfer from Italy's Sampdoria in July, having played very little club football in recent times.

He was thrown in at the deep end by Van Gaal at the start of the season, and although he looked solid early on as he conceded just once in five matches, he was arguably at fault for both goals in the Red Devils' most recent 2-1 defeat to Swansea City, per BBC Sport's Phil McNulty:

United face a clash with Liverpool on Saturday, and Romero will surely be fortunate if he starts in goal for the Old Trafford encounter.

Assuming De Gea is in the right frame of mind—his professionalism has barely been questioned during his long-term links with Madrid—the Spaniard is United's obvious No. 1 as he is a superior goalkeeper to Romero, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

The collapse of De Gea's move to Real could prove vital for United in the coming term as the 24-year-old was responsible for saving numerous points last season with some stunning performances.

Romero is likely to be warming the bench for much of 2015-16 despite his regular starts thus far. But he may be able to stake a claim to be United's long-term No. 1 as it still seems possible De Gea will leave for Madrid next summer.