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LOS ANGELES -- Sergio Romero has told ESPN FC he wants David De Gea to stay at Manchester United this summer, even if that means his path to the first team is blocked. The Argentina goalkeeper signed a new contract at Old Trafford this week that will keep him at the club until 2021. But he faces the prospect of spending those years on the bench with David De Gea still Jose Mourinho's established No.1. De Gea has again been linked with a move to Real Madrid this summer, with sources saying United are braced for a bid, and the Spaniard's departure would clear the way for Romero, who has made no secret of his desire to be first choice. But the 30-year-old insists he does not want De Gea to leave because the competition is making him a better goalkeeper. "Since I came to this team, I said I need to compete with David because in that way we can keep the competition level high," Romero told ESPN FC. "I don't want him to leave. We are friends. And if he stays here, it will help me to be better." Romero had a taste of first team football at the end of last season after Mourinho picked him to take the gloves for the Europa League knockout rounds. The decision to put Romero in goal for the Europa League final, with Champions League football on the line, was a surprise to some. But not to Romero. He said: "I was not surprised at all because I knew I could help the team, not just on the pitch but on different levels. I think I proved I can be useful in games like that. "Last season was great. It was spectacular the way we finished. But I think this is just a kickoff on my part because I want to prove that I belong to this team and I can do great things for this organisation." There has been speculation Romero could get the nod in the Champions League next season after his impressive displays on the way to lifting the Europa League. It is an important season for the stopper with the World Cup in Russia next summer. But Romero, who has been capped 88 times by Argentina and played in the 2014 World Cup final, says he is yet to hear from Mourinho about how many opportunities he might get next term. "We haven't discussed it," he said. "We have only talked about preseason and the tournaments we are going to face next season, the Premier League, the Champions League and the cups. "The confidence he has in me, I think I have repaid with good performances on the pitch. Also I want to prove myself and show I can play for the national team." Despite being locked in a constant battle with De Gea to be United's first-choice, the pair have been able to develop a genuine friendship. It helps that they both speak Spanish and often train separately from the main group, only called back for shooting practice and match situations. He said: "I am happy because David and I are very good friends. That is the way it goes because when we train, we train to help the other goalkeepers. "We have three goalkeepers, me, David and Joel [Pereira], and when we train we do it to help each other so whoever is chosen can performance well in the game. That way I know that when I play, they will help me to do my best." Regardless of whether De Gea is at United next season, Romero certainly will be. There has been interest from Boca Juniors in his homeland, as well as in Italy, where he spent four years at Sampdoria before moving to Old Trafford. Yet, he had no hesitation in signing a new deal. "I am very happy because I am with a group of very good players," he added. "They treat me very well. So I am ready to do my best to help the team and do my best for the Manchester United fans."
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