• Ligue 1

Monaco poised to welcome back Radamel Falcao

Monaco are waiting for Manchester United to make a decision on the future of Radamel Falcao and could yet welcome back the Colombian, the Ligue 1 club's vice-president has said.

After scoring twice in three league games for Monaco at the start of the season, Falcao, 29, moved to United on a season-long loan late in the summer transfer window.

The Colombia international, who missed the second half of last season and the World Cup with a knee ligament injury, clearly hoped to star on a bigger stage than Monaco could provide.

However, Falcao has made just 11 Premier League starts for United, scoring four times, and was an unused substitute for Saturday's defeat by Swansea City.

With United looking increasingly unlikely to take up the estimated €55 million (£40.5m) purchase option on the forward, Falcao - who signed a five-year deal with Monaco in 2013 - could return to the Stade Louis II, according to Vadim Vasilyev.

"Never say never, we're awaiting a decision from Manchester for Falcao." Vasilyev told French TV channel Canal+. "He wanted to leave, he wanted a challenge.

"With Manchester, he had a challenge, because Manchester United are a bigger club than us. The only thing I can promise is that the team will be competitive and will challenge for a top-three finish next year.

"I'm not worried about Falcao. He's a great striker with great qualities and mentality. We're waiting for a decision from Manchester United. We're not going to start talks."

Currently fourth in Ligue 1, Monaco could perhaps tempt Falcao to rejoin them if they can finish in the top three and clinch a Champions League qualifying berth for next season.

They remain in contention this term, though Vasilyev admitted last-16 opponents Arsenal, who host Wednesday's first leg, are expected to progress to the quarter-finals at the expense of his own club.

"Of course Arsenal are favourites, but I think my team is going to give everything," Vasilyev added. "The pressure is on Arsenal. We have already achieved a great thing. No-one saw us reaching this stage of the competition at the start of the season."

Radamel Falcao was an unused substitute for United against Swansea on Saturday © Getty Images

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