Louis van Gaal said new signing Sergio Romero is capable of becoming Manchester United's first-choice goalkeeper if David De Gea joins Real Madrid.

United have signed Argentina international Romero, 28, on a free transfer to add to their goalkeeping options as Real push to complete a deal for De Gea, whose contract expires next year.

Van Gaal has already said that former Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes is not part of his plans after he apparently refused to play for the club's reserve side, and Romero -- who first moved to Europe when the Dutchman signed him at AZ Alkmaar in 2007 -- could now become United's No. 1.

"With the threat that David De Gea is going to Real Madrid, we had to prepare our season," Van Gaal told Sky Sports News HQ.

"I think Sergio Romero can fulfil that because you have to handle quickly what may happen with David De Gea. I think he is a very good choice.

"He is the Argentinian goalkeeper. He has international experience. I know him very good because I picked him when he was 19 years old to AZ Alkmaar, my former club.

"I know him. I also know his character so I hope he can have a contribution to our selection and I have confidence he can give that."

Louis van Gaal speaks exclusively to #MUTV about new signing Sergio Romero. http://t.co/Qcx0vHUtvP pic.twitter.com/acWifO2LBZ - Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 27, 2015

Van Gaal, who also has Danish keeper Anders Lindegaard on the books, added in an interview with MUTV: "I was trainer-coach, manager of AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. I picked him up when he was 19 and he was a great talent. We became champions with him, with a minor club, and in the Netherlands it was a fantastic result of course.

"I know him very well and I think in our situation, if De Gea is going or not going, it is always a threat and we have to take care, make sure that we are prepared and that is why I think it is very good that Sergio Romero is now a Manchester United player."

He said it remains to be seen whether Romero, who has also played for Racing Club, Sampdoria and Monaco, would be able to adapt to the Premier League but believes he has enough ability.