• Premier League

Van Gaal undecided on buying Falcao

Louis van Gaal has delayed his decision on whether to buy Radamel Falcao because of the latest injury to the Manchester United striker.

Falcao has endured a difficult start to his life at Manchester United, scoring just one goal in five appearances since his dramatic deadline-day loan move from Monaco.

The striker has struggled for fitness and is yet to complete a full game for United. The Colombian has been unavailable for the last month due to a calf injury he sustained in training and it will take at least another fortnight for him to return to action.

Radamel Falcao has scored just one goal since moving to Manchester United from Monaco © Getty Images

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United are yet to take up the option to buy Falcao because of his latest injury, which comes 10 months after he damaged cruciate ligaments playing for Monaco.

"Do you think we expected he'd be injured for so many weeks? Because of that [injury setback] maybe we didn't buy him," Van Gaal said.

Falcao is one of the club's top earners, but his only meaningful contributions on the pitch so far have been an assist for Robin van Persie's goal against Leicester and his own strike in the victory over Everton.

Falcao admitted his spell on the sidelines had been "frustrating", but his manager insists he has had no option but to keep the 28-year-old out of his squad.

"I don't give any chance to players when they are not fit, believe me," Van Gaal said. "Look at my record and you will see that.

"You have to be fit. And what's your name? It doesn't matter - you have to be fit. I'm sorry. I have to manage with the other players and we believe in these players. And we shall show it."

Earlier this week, United's executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward told club investors it would be unlikely the club would sign anyone in the January transfer window.

"We are not looking to enter the market for short-term fixes," said the executive vice-chairman, who was speaking on the day United posted a 9.9% fall in revenue. And Van Gaal has no qualms with Woodward's words.

"I agree with that because if you buy, it has to be a player who is better than what you have in your squad. It shall be very difficult to find such a player," he said. "We are speaking the same language."

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