Former Newcastle United goalkeeper Steve Harper has backed David de Gea to replace Sergio Romero in the Manchester United first eleven.

De Gea’s proposed move to Real Madrid collapsed at the last minute after the Spanish giants failed to file the proper paperwork with the Spanish FA to tie down their agreement with Manchester United.




Due to speculation surrounding his future, the Spaniard was kept out of Manchester United’s first team picture by Louis van Gaal, but the Dutchman promised that he would revisit the situation should De Gea remain at the club.

The 24-year-old is expected to continue at Old Trafford for at least one more season and Harper feels that the development is bad news for Romero, who has played all the games for the club so far this season.
 


The former Newcastle custodian is unaware whether Van Gaal has provided any assurance to the Argentina number one, but he has stressed that De Gea should replace Romero in the first eleven once he finds his rhythm.

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“Romero will have wanted De Gea out of the equation”, ex-Newcastle keeper Steve Harper told the BBC.

“Now he will be thinking what happens now? Is De Gea going to play? It’s a difficult situation for Romero too. He has played for Van Gaal before and we don't know if he was made any assurances about starting.

"But I think De Gea needs to play – it is in the best interests all around that he gets back up to speed and into the team as soon as possible.”

The bad news for Romero continued as the man he was originally slated to replace in the Manchester United squad, Victor Valdes, has also remained at Old Trafford after his own move to Besiktas was called off.