Sergio Romero wants to leave Manchester United to secure first-team football ahead of World Cup 2018

The United back-up is concerned he may lose his place as Argentina No.1 after not playing a single minute of Premier League football this season

Sergio Romero last played for United in the League Cup defeat to Bristol City (Getty)

Manchester United goalkeeper Sergio Romero wants to leave the club in January to cement his place in Argentina's World Cup line-up.

Currently back-up to the imperious David De Gea, Romero is concerned about losing his spot in Jorge Sampaoli's first XI for this summer's tournament in Russia.

The United No. 2 is under pressure from Real Sociedad's Geronimo Rulli and Agustin Marchesin, who plays in Mexico.

Sampaoli has told his squad that they need to be getting regular football or they cannot be guaranteed a place in his 23 for the World Cup, and though it is difficult to see Romero miss out on the squad entirely, he is keen to secure at the very least a loan move away from Old Trafford until the summer.

"Sergio has offers from the Premier League, Argentina and Spain," a source close to the player said.

"He knows he needs to play and the appropriate people in Manchester are aware too."

Romero hasn't played a single minute of Premier League football this season and the League Cup elimination to Bristol City deprived Romero of three more games he would have expected to start, but the issue is complicated by the fact that United would likely need to go out and sign another keeper to allow him to leave.

Highly-rated Joel Pereira is currently third choice at Old Trafford but may be deemed too risky to trust as a back-up with United still battling on three fronts.