Sergio Romero Q&A: Man United’s Europa League keeper intends to stay and fight for No 1 jersey

Andy Mitten caught up with the Manchester United goalkeeper following Wednesday's Europa League triumph over Ajax.

Sergio Romero, right, lifts the Europa League trophy with injured Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo. Michael Sohn / AP Photo

Sergio Romero may be Argentina’s first choice goalkeeper, but he’s a reserve at Manchester United. Except in the Europa League, where he started 12 of United’s 15 games in this season’s run to a successful final victory against Ajax in Stockholm. Romero didn’t start in the two games which United lost in the competition and was on the winning side in nine of the games he started. We caught up with the 30-year-old two hours after the final whistle in Stockholm.

How are you feeling?

Good, because we have finished the tournament as we wanted which was to win it. We knew the Europa League wouldn’t be easy, it was a very difficult tournament but thanks to God we did a great job in the final and go home happy.

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How was the atmosphere in the stadium?

Fantastic, many people came from Manchester to give us their support, more than 10,000. That people accompany us is important, they’ve showed their support all through the year, in the League Cup, the Premier League, the FA Cup and the Europa League. The fans have always been there supporting us and cheering us on so we can do well so it makes us very happy to be able give them this trophy

What has been your best moment in the Europa League run? 

There were many moments when I returned home very happy. I’ve kept a lot of clean sheets and helped my teammates on a lot of occasions and that’s given me enormous satisfaction. So I have to thank the coaching staff for showing faith in me and my teammates who made a lot of effort to make me feel tranquil, and ending with the cup in our hands makes us doubly happy.

What was Jose Mourinho’s message following the attack in Manchester?

We spoke yesterday when we were in Manchester. It wasn’t good what happened. No one in Manchester or anywhere deserves this; they deserve to live in peace with tranquillity, every person and family has their own problems with different things so we hope this ends soon because people need to live in tranquillity. We knew when it happened that the Europa League would be a nice prize for the people although obviously winning doesn’t change anything for the families affected. There are families suffering who have lost a mother, a father or a child, and football can’t change that at all, but all we can do is try to bring a bit of tranquillity to the fans.

How is your life in Manchester?

I’m very grateful as my two small girls now speak English. In Argentina I didn’t have that and now life has allowed me to give them that gift. It’s something very important. I try to speak English as I know it’s very hard for the people living in a foreign country to fit in and the most important thing is to speak the language. People in Manchester try to make a big effort to understand me which is very important.

Why did you choose to join United, even knowing it would be tough to be No 1?

I chose to come here because of what the club is. It’s a huge club, one of the biggest in the world, one of the things I couldn’t leave alone, I couldn’t say no. I knew it might be a little harder here to play a lot and last year with Louis (Van Gaal) I played 12 games. I felt good and so I thought I could be important for the team in those moments despite not playing a lot. Then with Jose I had more involvement, I could play a little more. I’ve been able to show I’m a goalkeeper that can play for this club but you know never know what’s going to happen in the future so you have to keep working hard for what comes next.

What happens next season?

I could be the No 1 or No 2, it all depends on hard work and hard work I have plenty to give. My intention is to stay.

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