In Senne Lammens, Manchester United may have found their ideal David de Gea replacement. However, they are still searching for a reliable backup goalkeeper.
In recent years, United have signed Tom Heaton, Martin Dubravka, Jack Butland and Altay Bayindir for the role. Still, no one has managed to fill the void left by Sergio Romero, who played an instrumental role in the side’s Europa League triumph under Jose Mourinho.
The Argentine was a no-nonsense type of shot-stopper who did his job whenever called into action. Now, the 38-year-old finds himself in a precarious spot.
Former Manchester United cult hero struggling at new club
After departing United, Romero joined Italian outfit Venezia before returning to his home country with Boca Juniors in 2022.
The Argentina international enjoyed a solid stint between the sticks in La Boca and got to reunite with ex-Red Devils Marcos Rojo, Edinson Cavani and Ander Herrera.
Every player to play with Luke Shaw at Manchester United
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| David de Gea | 209 |
| Marcus Rashford | 200 |
| Bruno Fernandes | 181 |
| Victor Lindelöf | 157 |
| Scott McTominay | 150 |
| Harry Maguire | 145 |
| Anthony Martial | 143 |
| Fred | 141 |
| Paul Pogba | 133 |
| Aaron Wan-Bissaka | 118 |
| Diogo Dalot | 100 |
| Nemanja Matić | 98 |
| Juan Mata | 97 |
| Mason Greenwood | 81 |
| Jesse Lingard | 81 |
| Casemiro | 78 |
| Chris Smalling | 67 |
| Ander Herrera | 63 |
| Eric Bailly | 55 |
| Jadon Sancho | 55 |
| Raphaël Varane | 54 |
| Ashley Young | 54 |
| Lisandro Martínez | 50 |
| Alejandro Garnacho | 50 |
| Romelu Lukaku | 47 |
| Marouane Fellaini | 46 |
| Antony | 46 |
| Daley Blind | 42 |
| Antonio Valencia | 42 |
| Daniel James | 42 |
| Edinson Cavani | 39 |
| Phil Jones | 38 |
| Christian Eriksen | 38 |
| Wayne Rooney | 37 |
| Kobbie Mainoo | 35 |
| Amad Diallo | 33 |
| Donny van de Beek | 32 |
| Cristiano Ronaldo | 32 |
| Marcos Rojo | 30 |
| Sergio Romero | 29 |
| Leny Yoro | 29 |
| Mason Mount | 29 |
| Michael Carrick | 28 |
| Patrick Dorgu | 27 |
| Manuel Ugarte | 27 |
| André Onana | 23 |
| Wout Weghorst | 23 |
| Matheus Cunha | 23 |
| Rasmus Højlund | 22 |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 21 |
| Benjamin Šeško | 21 |
| Semme Lammens | 20 |
| Matteo Darmian | 20 |
| Dean Henderson | 19 |
| Axel Tuanzebe | 18 |
| Matthijs de Ligt | 18 |
| Noussair Mazraoui | 17 |
| Joshua Zirkzee | 17 |
| Tyrell Malacia | 16 |
| Brandon Williams | 16 |
| Ángel Di María | 16 |
| Henrikh Mkhitaryan | 15 |
| Robin van Persie | 15 |
| Marcel Sabitzer | 14 |
| Odion Ighalo | 14 |
| Adnan Januzaj | 12 |
| Radamel Falcao | 12 |
| Memphis Depay | 12 |
| Altay Bayındır | 10 |
| Paddy McNair | 10 |
| Facundo Pellistri | 10 |
| Ayden Heaven | 9 |
| Morgan Schneiderlin | 9 |
| Bastian Schweinsteiger | 9 |
| Tahith Chong | 8 |
| Sofyan Amrabat | 7 |
| Rafael | 6 |
| Jonny Evans | 6 |
| Alex Telles | 5 |
| James Wilson | 5 |
| Sergio Reguilón | 4 |
| Harry Amass | 4 |
| Darren Fletcher | 3 |
| Jack Fletcher | 3 |
| Angel Gomes | 3 |
| Chicharito | 3 |
| Joel Pereira | 2 |
| Tyler Blackett | 2 |
| James Garner | 2 |
| Shea Lacey | 2 |
| Chido Obi | 2 |
| Lee Grant | 1 |
| Tom Heaton | 1 |
| Martin Dúbravka | 1 |
| Di'Shon Bernard | 1 |
| Ethan Laird | 1 |
| Willy Kambwala | 1 |
| Tyler Fredricson | 1 |
| Tom Thorpe | 1 |
| Dylan Levitt | 1 |
| Ethan Galbraith | 1 |
| Bendito Mantato | 1 |
| Hannibal | 1 |
| Largie Ramazani | 1 |
| Omari Forson | 1 |
| Shola Shoretire | 1 |
| D'Mani Mellor | 1 |
He even earned an extension until December 2025. However, his contract was terminated by mutual consent in the summer, leading to a move to fellow Argentine side Argentinos Juniors.
According to Argentine outlet Bolavip, Romero has been dropped by his new club after just four appearances.
It is understood the veteran goalkeeper doesn’t have a place in Nicolas Diez’s plans, with the manager keen on backing youngster Gonzalo Siri.
The ex-United man has reportedly visited the facilities of Los Andes. He has also been spotted wearing the jersey of the second-tier club, raising question marks over his future.
Romero was treated harshly by Solskjaer
Romero’s final weeks at United were also blurry, to say the least.
The emergence of Dean Henderson pushed Romero further down the pecking order under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Everton tried to sign Romero in the summer of 2020, but United refused to lower their demands. Solskjaer, meanwhile, left the Louis van Gaal signing out of his Champions League squad in favour of Lee Grant.
Romero was a popular member of the squad at the time. As per ESPN, a number of United players expressed their disappointment at the treatment, as many felt he had been unfairly frozen out after years of service.
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