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| Radamel Falcao says knee injury won’t hamper Manchester United career | Radamel Falcao says knee injury won’t hamper Manchester United career |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Radamel Falcao has played down fears that his latest knee injury could hamper his career at Manchester United. | Radamel Falcao has played down fears that his latest knee injury could hamper his career at Manchester United. |
| Speaking to the press for the first time, the 28-year-old striker, whose injury suffered in January ruled him out of Colombia’s World Cup campaign, said: “I feel well. I started to play two months ago with Monaco and I’ve improved in the last month a lot. I’ve been scoring goals which is important for strikers. I have confidence in my physical form and I am comfortable with my knee.” | |
| Falcao has a history of knee problems, tearing ligaments in his right knee twice while at River Plate and then damaging the anterior cruciate ligaments in his left knee this year. | |
| He nevertheless felt he would have little difficulty adapting quickly to his new club, saying: “I think I will need match time because Manchester United have very good players and the reason I’m here is to play football.” He continued: “I’m used to life in cities like this so I don’t think I’ll have a problem adapting.” | He nevertheless felt he would have little difficulty adapting quickly to his new club, saying: “I think I will need match time because Manchester United have very good players and the reason I’m here is to play football.” He continued: “I’m used to life in cities like this so I don’t think I’ll have a problem adapting.” |
| United, he emphasised, was “a new process and a new team – there are new players and I think United have built a big team this season and I would like to be part of this project.” | United, he emphasised, was “a new process and a new team – there are new players and I think United have built a big team this season and I would like to be part of this project.” |
| The lack of Champions League football this season was not a problem. “Every player wants to play in the Champions League. This year it’s not possible in Manchester but we are confident we can achieve qualification for next season.” | |
| Falcao sealed his £6m season-long loan move in the transfer window’s most eye-catching deadline day deal and with the striker’s salary of £190,000 a week being paid by United, the agreement could cost the club at least £16m, plus an option to buy the striker next summer from Monaco. | Falcao sealed his £6m season-long loan move in the transfer window’s most eye-catching deadline day deal and with the striker’s salary of £190,000 a week being paid by United, the agreement could cost the club at least £16m, plus an option to buy the striker next summer from Monaco. |
| “I hope to stay many years at Manchester United and make history at this club,” Falcao said. “When I was at Porto and Atlético I always wanted to improve and I dreamed of playing in a team like this. Now I want to stay here for many years.” | “I hope to stay many years at Manchester United and make history at this club,” Falcao said. “When I was at Porto and Atlético I always wanted to improve and I dreamed of playing in a team like this. Now I want to stay here for many years.” |
| His arrival took United’s summer spend to more than £150m, including a British record £59.7m on Real Madrid’s Ángel di María. | His arrival took United’s summer spend to more than £150m, including a British record £59.7m on Real Madrid’s Ángel di María. |
| His new manager, Louis van Gaal, defended the decision to let Danny Welbeck go to Arsenal for £16m, besides another striker, Javier Hernández, joining Real Madrid on loan, saying: “When you ask me about Welbeck, he has been here since he is nine, and he spent three years here after being at Sunderland. | |
| “But he doesn’t have the record of Van Persie or Rooney. That’s why we let him go – because of Falcao and also the youngsters we have to come in. | “But he doesn’t have the record of Van Persie or Rooney. That’s why we let him go – because of Falcao and also the youngsters we have to come in. |
| “We have spoken with Danny Welbeck and also Chicharito before Falcao was on the [radar]. It changed that we could get him. When you can hire a player like Falcao I don’t have doubts because he is one of the best strikers in the world. | “We have spoken with Danny Welbeck and also Chicharito before Falcao was on the [radar]. It changed that we could get him. When you can hire a player like Falcao I don’t have doubts because he is one of the best strikers in the world. |
| “Today in training he gave one ball and it was in the goal. But when I say this I put too much pressure on him: I know that it’s very difficult to come from another club to Manchester United in a new process. | “Today in training he gave one ball and it was in the goal. But when I say this I put too much pressure on him: I know that it’s very difficult to come from another club to Manchester United in a new process. |
| “There is a new hierarchy in the dressing room that’s now existing so we are in a process. That’s why I asked for time because I knew in advance that this would happen. I gave all the players a chance to [show] me their abilities.” | “There is a new hierarchy in the dressing room that’s now existing so we are in a process. That’s why I asked for time because I knew in advance that this would happen. I gave all the players a chance to [show] me their abilities.” |
| Van Gaal now has a welcome headache over how to accommodate Falcao in the side for the visit of Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, one of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney or Juan Mata probably having to give way, with the captain, Rooney, being the least likely candidate. | |
| Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo could also figure in that game, although Van Gaal gave little away when asked where they would all fit in, instead pointing out that United had let 14 players go in the summer. | Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo could also figure in that game, although Van Gaal gave little away when asked where they would all fit in, instead pointing out that United had let 14 players go in the summer. |
| Daley Blind, who was also signed on deadline day from Ajax for £14m, said he was happy to play wherever the Dutch manager picked him. “I can play as a defender or midfielder,” he said. “I want to play and it’s up to the coach where I play.” | Daley Blind, who was also signed on deadline day from Ajax for £14m, said he was happy to play wherever the Dutch manager picked him. “I can play as a defender or midfielder,” he said. “I want to play and it’s up to the coach where I play.” |