Chris Smalling: 'Sergio Romero looked the part'

Manchester United defender Chris Smalling has claimed that Sergio Romero took to the task of replacing David de Gea with ease on his Red Devils debut against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Spanish goalkeeper had to watch United's 1-0 win from the stands because manager Louis van Gaal claimed that he was not in the right frame of mind to play due to a summer of speculation linking him with Real Madrid.

Romero, who signed on a free transfer just two weeks ago, put in a crucial block on Kyle Walker in the first half and saved twice from Christian Eriksen at the death to help his new side to a winning start in the Premier League.

Smalling told MUTV: "I think Sergio looked the part. He came out and commanded his box, which is what you want behind you as a defender because, when you've got a goalkeeper who comes out with that presence, it mops up a lot of the danger."

Romero, an Argentinian international, last played at Sampdoria prior to signing at Old Trafford.