Romero not suited to replace De Gea – ESPN FC (blog)

The FC crew react to Jose Mourinho's transfer window comments, as well as Antonio Conte's possible veiled retort to them.

When David De Gea was missing from the starting lineup for Manchester United's game against Sunderland, the presumption was that it was related to speculation concerning his future and Real Madrid. Having missed out on him two summers before, after waiting until the final day of the window before being foiled in their attempted move, the Spanish giants seem ready to replace their No. 1 again; this time it's Keylor Navas instead of Iker Casillas.

De Gea was on the brink of usurping Casillas as Spain's first choice when Real Madrid's initial interest began, but now that transition has been made, and the Spanish club reportedly want to make him theirs again. It's no surprise that Sergio Romero's inclusion in the starting team lead fans to jump to the conclusion that it was related to De Gea's future, as that's exactly what it meant last time this happened.

In Louis van Gaal's second summer as United manager he signed Argentina's No. 1 goalkeeper from Sampdoria on a free transfer, with the pair reunited from their title winning days at AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands.

After De Gea's questionable performances in the preseason, Van Gaal claimed that the goalkeeper's lack of focus meant he would not be playing for United, presumably while the transfer window was still open. Having fallen out with Victor Valdes, United were left with two quality goalkeepers in the stands and Romero in between the posts.

United's opening games of the season went well, with Romero picking up three clean sheets in the first three league games. The fans had treated De Gea well throughout the saga, still chanting his name in the final games of the season before, despite believing he would likely leave in the summer. But as popular as De Gea was, the fans still rallied behind their new goalkeeper, replacing Radamel Falcao's name in a chant for Romero.

It was all going well but then they travelled to the Liberty Stadium to face Swansea. Having taken the lead, United lost 2-1, with Romero having a nightmare in conceding to Bafetimbi Gomis. It was an effort that De Gea would have had no problem with. The fact that United went on to miss out on top four because of an inferior goal difference made the points dropped in that game all the more frustrating to reflect upon at the end of the season.

Thankfully, De Gea stayed and, to end of the transfer speculation, extended his contract. He finished the season as the Sir Matt Busby player of the season, again, while Van Gaal used Romero in the cup competitions, where he did little to calm any nerves from United fans. He wasn't abysmal, but he too often looked nervous. His blooper reel from his previous clubs and his countrydid little to inspire confidence in him either. However, when called upon this season, Romero has done a surprisingly decent job. He's picked up nine clean sheets from 12 and proven to be a trustworthy understudy.

Most of his appearances have come in the Europa League, with United progressing to the quarterfinals. Against Rostov, in the last round at Old Trafford, Romero's saves kept United in the competition. With 10 minutes left to play, he got his hand to a goalbound header, before pulling off a fantastic save from a free kick in the 95th minute. Mourinho is a fan of Romero, earlier claiming that he's not an "ordinary" goalkeeper, but a "very good" one.

There are still moments where United fans may have their hearts in their mouths, but he has largely performed well. If De Gea is to leave in the summer, could Mourinho do worse than employing Romero as his No. 1? Well, yes. He could give Pep Guardiola a call and ask whether his Claudio Bravo experiment has come to an end yet. But if United have serious hopes of winning the Premier League next season, which should be their reasonable aim following the predicted expenditure this summer, they will need a better goalkeeper than Romero.

Doing a job against lesser teams like Northampton, Zorya, Wigan and Reading is obviously not comparable with what would be asked of him as the first choice.

United fans will hope that De Gea gives them at least one more season, particularly if they qualify for the Champions League, either through a top-four finish or success in the Europa League. A player of his quality deserves to be playing in Europe's elite competition and while United have won two trophies over the past year, it's little consolation for missing out on the league titles and Champions League titles he would be able to shoot for elsewhere.

Whether he stays or goes though, the decision should be whether Romero or Sam Johnstone, who has helped Aston Villa since joining them on loan in January with seven clean sheets in nine games, is United's second choice. The latter may well seek a No. 1 spot at a Premier League club next season, while Romero appears content with his current position.

Either way, Romero shouldn't be seeking a promotion at United. He's a good option for the cups and may well raise his profile if United continue to progress in the Europa League, but that's as good as it should get for the Argentina international. Whatever Mourinho might argue, Romero is an ordinary goalkeeper and if United lose one of the best, if not the best, goalkeepers in the summer, then they will need to replace him with someone of a similar calibre.

Scott is one of ESPN FC's Manchester United bloggers. Follow him on Twitter: @R_o_M.

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Romero not suited to replace De Gea - ESPN FC (blog)