Football
ESPN staff 9y

Sergio Romero yet to prove himself at Manchester United - Louis van Gaal

Louis van Gaal has admitted he still does not know if Sergio Romero has proven himself enough to become Manchester United's goalkeeper on a long-term basis.

The Argentinian, who joined on a free transfer in the summer, has played five games for his new club and has only conceded one goal, accidentally scored by his teammate Michael Carrick in last week's 3-1 win over Club Brugge.

And Van Gaal said his defence shielded the former Sampdoria and Monaco player, who is deputising while the 64-year-old does sits out Real Madrid target David de Gea, so well that he has not had the opportunity to prove he is worthy of a place in the team.

"I don't think so because until now we don't allow a lot of shots or moments in our 16-metre area," he said in a news conference. "So I think he did very good saves but until now I think only maybe the save in Brugge at 1-0 was very important and he did also a save against Tottenham. So he could not show what he can show. I think but that is only a compliment to the team."

Van Gaal said he is not surprised by the way Romero has performed, adding: "We don't [wouldn't] have bought him so we have expectations when we buy players. Mostly you have positive expectations or you don't buy."

Romero was parachuted into the United team for the opening Premier League game of the season against Tottenham, despite not featuring in any of their preseason matches.

Van Gaal argued that he was fit and has been working hard to establish an understanding between the Argentine and his new teammates.

"He has played a lot of matches in the Argentina team in the Copa America," he said. "The difficulty was the cooperation between the new players and him.

"We have had special training sessions with him and also with the goalkeeping coach and the players. We have given a lot of attention to that and because of that we could overcome that."

United are yet to concede in the Premier League and Van Gaal added: "I am not surprised we are doing well because as I said last year, the defence starts with the striker. We have proved that last year."

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