Louis van Gaal has dismissed suggestions that Falcao is set to start in their Premier League clash against Southampton later today, claiming that the forward is still not match-fit enough for a 90 minute ordeal.
The Colombian forward has struggled since his move to Man United, with injuries and fitness concerns beleaguering his stint thus far. He did make a substitue appearance in their last game against Stoke City, and Van Gaal insists that forward is not ready for first team action just yet.
“I have selected him in spite of the fact he can only play for 20 minutes. It’s match fitness [he needs],” Van Gaal said.
“It would be a better contribution if he played with the second team but I cannot do that because on Tuesday we had the match against Stoke and Wayne Rooney was injured.”
Speculations have been heating up about Falcao’s relationship with van Gaal, with rumours suggesting that the ex-Monaco forward is unhappy with his bit-part role so far. That sentiment though, doesn’t seem to bother the United manager in any way.
“I am not interested in that. He has to follow my philosophy.”
Falcao has made seven appearances for United so far, and has only found the back of the net once.
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