Sergio Romero opens up on his ‘strange’ final year at Man United – revealing he was sometimes forced to train ALONE after slipping behind David de Gea and Dean Henderson in the pecking order
- Goalkeeper Sergio Romero was released by Manchester United this summer
- The Argentine finally found a new club this week after his Old Trafford exit
- He revealed in the year before his departure he sometimes trained alone
- The 34-year-old has signed for Italian outfit Venezia, 17th in Serie A
- He joins Venezia on a free transfer and has signed until the end of the season
Sergio Romero has opened up on the struggles of training alone after it was made clear to him he had no future at Manchester United.
The goalkeeper joined United in 2015 but was released on a free this summer after six years at the club.
The Argentinian played second fiddle to David de Gea throughout his Old Trafford career, making just 62 appearances for the Red Devils.
Sergio Romero has opened up on the struggles of his Manchester United exit this summer
The 34-year-old failed to make a single appearance last season as both De Gea and the emergence of Dean Henderson shoved him down the pecking order.
Romero has now admitted it was a difficult end to his time at United, particularly after he trained alone.
‘It was a strange year for me, but I trained all year at Manchester United. Some days I was training by myself, because the squad was preparing for a game,’ he said, via The Sun.
David De Gea (left) and Dean Henderson (right) were ahead of Romero in the pecking order
‘I feel good, I worked in Argentina too and want to prove I’m the same Sergio who was at Sampdoria and then Manchester.’
United eventually released Romero this summer and the shotstopper searched for a new team before finally finding one in Serie A strugglers Venezia earlier this week.
The Argentine has put pen to paper on a deal until the end of the season with the option of a further year if all goes well.
The glovesman trained alone at Man United before the Red Devils released him this summer
Venezia were promoted to the top-flight to much fanfare this summer but currently sit 17th.
But that hasn’t deterred Romero who insists that he is looking forward to the ‘family feel’ the smaller club brings.
‘I really like the (Venezia) team, there are a lot of young players and I feel young too,’ he said.
‘There’s a solid club behind us, I think this squad has everything required to stay in Serie A.
‘I felt a family atmosphere at Sampdoria and it’s a similar sensation here at Venezia. Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but I feel Venezia can do well.’
Venezia announced the move on Tuesday morning, with a club statement that read: ‘Venezia FC is pleased to announce the signing of Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, 34, on a free transfer.
Sergio Romero has joined Italian side Venezia on a free transfer until the end of the season
‘Romero is Argentina’s all-time most-capped goalkeeper and last played for Manchester United. Welcome, Sergio.’
Romero twice saw moves to Everton fall through over the past year and held talks with the likes of LaLiga sides Valencia and Granada plus the likes of Roma and Spezia but financial constraints played a part in those clubs looking to recruit from elsewhere.
Romero’s wife had even expressed her frustration on social media when United blocked a move to Everton last year after changing their demands on a proposed loan.
Everton had offered to cover his £100,000-a-week wages and pay a £2m loan fee but United then demanded a permanent £8m fee when he had one year left on contract.
