Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero says he knew he would lose his place in the first team as soon as David De Gea signed a new contract at Old Trafford.
Romero, who arrived at the club in the summer, started United's opening six games of the season while De Gea's future remained unresolved heading into the closing stages of the transfer window.
However, De Gea's expected move to Real Madrid broke down just before the window closed, with the Spain international eventually signing a new contract at United and winning his place back in Louis van Gaal's starting XI.
"I took advantage of the matches the coach gave me as a starter, but when De Gea's contract was renewed, it was obvious that I was going to return to the bench," Romero told reporters.
"De Gea earned his place during all the years he was there. The manager spoke with me and I understood perfectly."
Romero is currently with the Argentina squad ahead of their opening World Cup qualifiers against Ecuador and Paraguay.
"We want to get off to the right start. We have to be strong since we are the home team," Romero said of Thursday's clash against Ecuador.
He believes that Argentina will feel the absences of Lionel Messi and Gonzalo Higuain, with the former out injured and the latter not selected by Gerardo Martino.
"We are losing our ace of spades. I hope that he gets better quickly so we can have him on the field again," Romero added on Messi. "I hope he comes back stronger than ever."
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano believes the rest of the squad will need to up their game given they will be without Messi.
"We are going to need more from everyone because we are missing our most important player," he said. "He is missing and the team has responded. It is always important to have Messi in the team.
"We aren't going to have him and we have remained objective so that we can take a step forward and not use it as an excuse. Leo's injury is something that happens. He has to recover in the best way possible and move forward. We will make sure that Leo's absence is not an excuse."
Mascherano added: "There is a long way to go and it is going to be difficult. But we hope to make the best of it [qualifying]. It is always very special to be part of the national team. The important thing is that we are starting something special, our quest to get to the World Cup in Russia."