• Premier League

I don't care if Falcao's frustrated, says Van Gaal

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says he is not interested if Radamel Falcao is frustrated by his lack of progress at the club, demanding the striker simply follow his "philosophy".

Falcao still has not completed 90 minutes for United following his one-season loan move from Monaco this summer and is trying to persuade the club to spend £46 million to sign him permanently.

The Colombian joined United having recovered from a serious knee injury that kept him out of last summer's World Cup, but has featured in only seven matches - scoring once - and has played second fiddle to Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and even youngster James Wilson.

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Falcao is likely to be on the bench again at Southampton on Monday and asked if the striker was happy with that role, Van Gaal replied: "I am not interested in that. He has to follow my philosophy - do you understand that? I am here because of that.

"A bigger contribution is to play in the second team for 45 or 60 minutes or even 90 minutes. I couldn't do that because I needed him when Rooney was injured [for Stoke] and Wilson was injured [for Hull].

"I have selected him in spite of the fact he can only play for 20 minutes because the rhythm of the game in the Premier League is the highest."

Rooney's situation, however, has pleased Van Gaal after a scan last week on a potential knee injury for the forward showed there was no problem. Rooney has become the key player for the Dutchman since being named captain following the club's pre-season tour to the USA and will return against Southampton.

When asked about Rooney, Van Gaal replied: "Very good. He will play."

"We were in the USA when I decided to make him captain and not for one day have I regretted that. For me the most important thing is that he is captain of our team."

Van Gaal said he was impressed at the team spirit that has developed, highlighted by the Christmas party organised last week by Rooney.

The match at St Mary's is being built up as a battle between warring Dutch coaches Van Gaal and Koeman, who fell out when they worked together at Ajax in 2004. The pair have refused to discuss their relationship but they appear to have buried the hatchet.

According to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf, at a recent League Managers' Association meeting Van Gaal complimented Koeman on his work, telling him: "You have a good team," and clapped him on the shoulder.

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