United’s Radamel Falcao plays down knee injury fears

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 cruicate 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.”

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 €7.5m (£6m) season-long loan move in the transfer window’s most eye-catching deadline day deal and with the striker’s salary of €238.75 (£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.

His arrival took United’s summer spend to more than £150m, including a British record €75m (£59.7m) on Real Madrid’s Ángel di María.

Falcao now gives his manager a welcome headache over how to fit him into the side for the visit of Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, with 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 their manager Louis 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 €17.5m (£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."

Guardian Service