De Gea is undoubtedly the first-choice shot-stopper at United, having made 35 Premier League starts last season.
But the Spain international is consistently linked with Madrid, the club he almost joined in August 2015.
While a De Gea exit would likely give Romero more opportunities, the Argentina goalkeeper said he wanted his team-mate to stay.
"It's better for the club that there is this competition there between me and David," he told UK newspapers.
"The truth is that there exists a great friendship between us, we work hard in order help each other out.
