Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero wants No 1 rival David de Gea to remain at Old Trafford as he reveals 'great friendship between us'

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Sergio Romero may be kept out of the regular Manchester United team by David de Gea, but he still wants the goalkeeper to stay at Old Trafford. 

Romero was United's regular No 1 in their Europa League triumph last season, but regularly has to sit on the bench while de Gea starts in goal.

While de Gea has been linked with a move to Real Madrid, however, Romero wants his friend to remain at Old Trafford. 

Sergio Romero wants Manchester United goalkeeping rival David de Gea to stay at Old Trafford

Romero is kept out of the United team by de Gea, who is linked with a move to Real Madrid

While de Gea has been linked with a move, however, Romero wants his friend to remain

He told the Mirror: 'It's better for the club that there is this competition there between me and David. The truth is that there exists a great friendship between us, we work hard in order help each other out.

'It's very important that we work in this way so we can get the most out of each other. If he puts pressure on me, I put pressure on him and it's the same with Joel Pereira who is working with us.

'Yes, it's good for me if he stays. He is a friend and we will keep working hard to help each other out in training. If he does well then I do well, so in that way, the level of performance will always be high.'

Romero signed a four-year contract extension in July, and played 18 times last season

De Gea, who made 35 Premier League starts for United last season, has been linked with a switch to Real since 2015, when a summer deadline day move to the Bernabeu fell through at the last minute.

That same summer Romero, who played in the 2014 World Cup final for Argentina, joined the Red Devils, and has been No 2 ever since.

Romero signed a four-year contract extension in July, and played 18 times last season, 12 of those coming in the Europa League.