Falcao: I really want to stay at United
Radamel Falcao would love to stay at Manchester United, but admits a permanent move to Old Trafford is likely to depend on how much he plays from now until the end of the season. United thought they had pulled off a major coup by signing Falcao from Monaco on deadline day, but so far the Colombian has not lived up to his star billing. Thanks partly to injury, Falcao has struggled to find form and has scored just once in 11 appearances.
Despite his struggles, Falcao is keen for United to exercise their option to buy him for £43.5m. The former Porto striker concedes his chances of remaining at Old Trafford hinge partly on the amount of playing time he gets for the remainder of the campaign, though.
"I am very happy in this city, in this club and I am enjoying it here," he told Press Association Sport. "I really want to stay. From my point of view, I'd like to carry on but obviously I have to analyse the situation, see if I play more and see what decision the board takes."
Falcao has not started a game since he scored his only United goal against Everton on 5 October. A calf injury ruled the player out for a month, but since he returned he has made three brief appearances off the bench, the latest one being a 12-minute cameo in the 3-0 win over Liverpool which kept United third in the table.
Falcao, who cost Monaco £52m when they signed him from Atletico Madrid 18 months ago, admits he would prefer to play more, but is willing to be patient.
"Every footballer wants to play, no-one is happy when they are not playing, when they are on the bench, but whenever I am given the opportunity, whether it be for five, 10, 20 or 90 minutes, I have to give my best," he said. "I feel ready for the moment that the team needs me. Whenever I have the opportunity to come on I try to do my best for the coach and I try to help the team."
Van Gaal chats, Mata praise
When asked whether he had spoken to manager Louis van Gaal about his lack of playing time, Falcao said: "We talk a lot. He has a philosophy that I respect.
"I have had an injury, and I have had to wait for the opportunity to play. I am not playing many minutes at the moment, but I am sure that there will more opportunities to play."
The professional way in which Falcao has dealt with not being part of the first team has brought praise from team-mate Juan Mata, who has also struggled to hold down a place in Van Gaal's starting XI.
"He is training very well, he is waiting for his opportunity like the great professional he is, like the great team-mate he is," the United playmaker said.
Falcao hopes he will soon reach peak fitness and start repaying the club for the money they have invested in him.
"I'm almost at 100 per cent now, let's see wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more," said Falcao, who is one of the top earners at the club.
Robin van Persie has scored four goals in his last four games and Wayne Rooney is starting to show good form, while Van Gaal has shown a lot of faith in 19-year-old forward James Wilson. Falcao acknowledges he faces tough competition to earn a regular starting berth.
"We have a group of strikers who are very good and that's good for everyone," he said. "That means there is always a level of competition between us, healthy competition, and obviously I am very happy with how the team is doing."
