Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told members of his coaching staff that is prepared to stick with Sergio Romero in goal if his side advance to the Europa League final, claims The Daily Mirror. Romero has played in 10 of United’s 13 Europa League matches this season but Mourinho was keen to stress the Argentina international was not necessarily first choice for the competition prior to their semi-final clash with Celta Vigo. Mourinho nevertheless stuck with the 30-year-old for the first leg against the Spanish outfit in which United won 1-0 and the experienced goalkeeper is expected to retain his place between the sticks for the return leg on Thursday.

Assuming United can protect their 1-0 lead, the Red Devils are expected to face Ajax in the final at the end of May and Mourinho is ready to give Romero the nod over David De Gea, despite the fact the latter is by far the better goalkeeper. Real Madrid’s renewed attempts to sign De Gea is believed to have cost the Spain international his chance with Mourinho unhappy the 26-year-old has not pledged his outright loyalty to the club. While Romero is not the better goalkeeper, his record in the Europa League is not to be scoffed at. Romero has kept the most clean sheets in UEFA’s second competition this season (7).