• Premier League

Van Gaal holding faith in Radamel Falcao revival

ESPN staff
March 16, 2015
The Manchester United of old?

Louis van Gaal has insisted Radamel Falcao will soon return to his best and prove he still has the ability that made him a world-class striker.

Falcao managed 155 goals in 200 games for Porto, Atletico Madrid and Monaco but has only struck four times in 21 outings for United.

But Van Gaal feels his cruciate ligament injury, which deprived him of a proper pre-season, accounts for his slow start and while the on-loan Falcao could only have another nine games left as a United player, he claimed he will prove what he can do.

Van Gaal told United Review: "We mustn't forget the severe injury he suffered last year and how it kept him out for such a long period and resulted in him not having a good pre-season, which is always the catalyst for the campaign ahead.

"I believe he just needs a little time to build his confidence and match sharpness, and it won't be long until he is showing everybody the talent that we all know he has."

Falcao has only started one of United's last five games and came off the bench in Sunday's 3-0 win over Tottenham.

He had played for United's Under-21 side against their Spurs counterparts on Tuesday, when he failed to score in 72 minutes on the pitch, and Van Gaal subsequently said he was selected not to "humiliate" him but to help him build up match fitness.

Radamel Falcao has struggled to impress at Manchester United © Getty Images
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