• Premier League

Van Gaal warns Falcao he has to prove himself at United

Radamel Falcao has only scored three Premier League goals since his arrival from Monaco © Getty Images

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Louis van Gaal has warned Radamel Falcao he has to prove himself if he wants to win his place back in the Manchester United team - and said he wouldn't give the striker preferential treatment even if he cost £95 million.

Colombia international Falcao is on a season-long loan at Old Trafford, which is costing £6m, with a view to a permanent deal worth a further £44m to Monaco, but he was omitted from the 18-man squad for United's 1-0 defeat to Southampton last week.

The 28-year-old was one of the most expensive players in footballing history after Monaco paid £51m for him and Atletico Madrid had bought him for £35m.

But he has only scored three goals for United and has started just eight games in an injury-hit spell at Old Trafford and Van Gaal preferred to have James Wilson, a product of the club's academy, on the bench against Southampton.

Falcao's agent, Jorge Mendes, claimed his client's future at Old Trafford remains uncertain and United's manager has now warned the striker his status and reputation count for nothing if he does not impress in training and matches.

Van Gaal said: "He has to prove himself - that we have agreed. We have made this deal and everything is clear and it is not the end of the year so he has the chance for that.

"For the manager, it is the quality of the training sessions, the quality in his performances and matches and he has to compare - you have a game plan. I have explained after the match against Southampton and it is always the same explanation."

Van Gaal is adamant he does not treat players differently depending on their price tag, saying: "If a player costs £95m or £5,000, it's not any difference for me. It's difficult for you to understand as it is always the second or third question. You have to prove yourself.

"A player of £95m has to prove himself also."

Van Gaal refused to say if Falcao will return to the United squad for Saturday's trip to QPR when, with Robin van Persie a doubt, he could need another fit forward.

He said: "You have to wait and see, because when I say that a part of my line-up is known and I make it easy for my opponent and I don't want to make it easy."

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