Louis van Gaal has refused to criticise goalkeeper Sergio Romero following Manchester United’s 2-1 defeat to Swansea City on Sunday.
The Red Devils had enjoyed an encouraging if not wholly convincing start to the season, picking up six points from their opening two games—without conceding a goal—before drawing 0-0 against Newcastle United in gameweek three.
While United’s failings in front of goal could have raised concerns after their opening three matches, it was the defence that came under scrutiny this weekend, when the Swans picked up a 2-1 triumph.
Romero could have done better with both Andre Ayew’s first goal and Bafetimbi Gomis’s match winner, and it remains to be seen whether he can establish himself as the club’s Number One.
However, as per the Express, van Gaal refused to criticise the Argentine international: “You can write everything you want,” he said when asked about Romero’s performance.
“What I always say is defending starts in front and not only in the last line.
“You can always analyse errors but I don’t think that is a good way. You have to see the way the team is defending as a team and then I know what errors has been made.
“At the end, of course, the pressure for the last defender or goalkeeper is always higher. I don’t agree when you only say the goalkeeper was not so good.”
Romero’s performance will raise even more scrutiny on how United manage the potential departure of David De Gea.
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The 24-year-old appears to be on the brink of securing a move to Real Madrid, with the Independent reporting that the Spanish giants believe they’ve made a ‘breakthrough’ in their chase for the stopper.
The same source report that United are optimistic that they will secure Ajax keeper Jasper Cillessen as a replacement for the Spaniard, which would suggest that Romero’s future is in doubt, despite van Gaal’s support.