• Premier League

Falcao set for lift off, says Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal says Radamel Falcao is set for lift off at Manchester United after the striker admitted "relief" at finally claiming his first goal for the club.

Falcao, a deadline day loan signing from Monaco who could cost more than £50m if his move from Monaco is made permanent, drew blanks in his first three Premier League matches but struck in the second half at Old Trafford to earn United a 2-1 win against Everton on Sunday.

Louis van Gaal told Radamel Falcao he had been trying too hard to score his first goal for Manchester United © Getty Images

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The 28-year-old was guilty of missing a string of other chances earlier in the match and Van Gaal said he has told Falcao not to try too hard.

"He needed that goal," said Van Gaal. "I have talked with him because I thought he was forcing himself too much to score a goal.

"He's a player who will normally score a goal every match and has had to wait so long. I can understand that but now he has scored it will be better after the international break."

Falcao's goal was an instinctive finish as he pounced on a mishit shot from Angel Di Maria, who had scored United's first-half opener before Steven Naismith levelled.

"All strikers need goals, and for me there was a little bit of relief to score my first goal," he told MUTV. "I hope to score many in the future. It was amazing that my first goal was at Old Trafford, I enjoyed it with all the fans and I want to say thank you to God, my team mates, all the staff and the coaches."

The Colombian was also quick to take to his official Twitter account to celebrate his first goal in English football.

Very happy with my first goal and win in @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/zqwIfxql7y— Radamel Falcao (@FALCAO) October 5, 2014

Everton manager Roberto Martinez was unhappy, however, that the game wasn't stopped for an injury to Steven Pienaar in the build-up to Falcao's decisive strike.

"That action was a big mistake from the referee," said Martinez. "United attacked and the ball ends up in our net, and I don't think that is fair."

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