• Premier League

Falcao wants long-term United deal

Radamel Falcao has scored just once in eight matches for Manchester United © Getty Images

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Radamel Falcao is adamant he wants to sign a long-term deal with Manchester United, despite being left on the bench for their last four matches.

Falcao is spending the season on loan at Old Trafford and United have the option to purchase him from Monaco for £43.5 million next summer.

The Colombian striker has only started three games for United, the last of them on October 5, and has not been brought back into the starting 11 after recovering from a calf injury.

But while manager Louis van Gaal has opted for Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and teenager James Wilson ahead of him, Falcao insists he is keen to remain at Old Trafford.

"Obviously I have to analyse the situation, see if I play more and see what decision the board takes," Falcao said. "But from my point of view, I really want to stay. I am very happy in this city, in this club and I am enjoying it here."

Falcao, 28, claimed he is almost fully fit and revealed he had discussed his bit-part role with Van Gaal.

"I am very well," he added. "I'm almost at 100% now. Let's see wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more.

"We talk a lot, the coach and I. He has a philosophy that I respect. I have had an injury, and I have had to wait for the opportunity to play."

Falcao, who had been accustomed to starting roles for his previous clubs, has only played 62 minutes of football for United in the last two months and said he could not be happy to be out of the team.

"Every footballer wants to play," Falcao said. "No one is happy when they are not playing, when they are on the bench, but whenever I am given the opportunity, whether it be for five, 10, 20 or 90 minutes, I have to give my best.

"I feel ready for the moment that the team needs me. Whenever I have the opportunity to come on I try to do my best for the coach and I try to help the team."

Falcao scored 155 goals in 200 games for former clubs Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco, but has struck just once in eight matches as a United player.

During his time on the bench, both Rooney and Van Persie have returned to goalscoring form as United have won their last six games.

"We have a group of strikers who are very good and that's good for everyone," Falcao said. "That means there is always a level of competition between us, healthy competition, and obviously I am very happy with how the team is doing."|

This article orginally appeared on ESPNFC.com

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