Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao is aware that he has got limited time on the field but the striker remains optimistic. Oli Scarff / AFP
Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao is aware that he has got limited time on the field but the striker remains optimistic. Oli Scarff / AFP
Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao is aware that he has got limited time on the field but the striker remains optimistic. Oli Scarff / AFP
Manchester United’s Radamel Falcao is aware that he has got limited time on the field but the striker remains optimistic. Oli Scarff / AFP

Falcao concedes injury-prone start has hurt his chances at Manchester United


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Radamel Falcao would love to stay at Manchester United but acknowledged a permanent move to Old Trafford is likely to depend on how much he plays.

United thought they had pulled off a major coup by signing Falcao from Monaco on deadline day, but so far the Colombian has not lived up to his star billing.

Thanks partly to injury, Falcao has struggled to find form and has scored just once in 11 appearances. Despite his struggles, Falcao is keen for United to exercise their option to buy him for £43.5 million (Dh250.9m).

The former Porto striker conceded his chances of remaining at Old Trafford hinge partly on the amount of playing time he gets for the remainder of the campaign.

“I am very happy in this city, in this club and I am enjoying it here. I really want to stay,” the United striker said.

“From my point of view, I’d like to carry on but obviously I have to analyse the situation, see if I play more and see what decision the board takes.”

Falcao has not started a game since he scored his only goal against Everton on October 5.

A calf injury ruled the player out for a month but since he returned he has made three brief appearances off the bench, the latest one being a 12-minute cameo in the 3-0 win over Liverpool, which kept United third in the table.

The striker, who cost Monaco £52m when they signed him from Atletico Madrid 18 months ago, admitted he would prefer to play more, but is willing to be patient.

“Every footballer wants to play, 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,” he said.

“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.”

When asked whether he had spoken to manager Louis van Gaal about his lack of playing time, Falcao said: “We talk a lot.

“He has a philosophy that I respect. I have had an injury and I have had to wait for the opportunity to play.

“I am not playing many minutes at the moment but I am sure that there will more opportunities to play.”

The professional way in which Falcao has dealt with not being part of the first team has brought praise from teammate Juan Mata, who has also struggled to hold down a place in Van Gaal’s starting XI.

“He is training very well, he is waiting for his opportunity like the great professional he is, like the great teammate he is,” the United midfielder said.

Robin van Persie has scored four goals in his last four games and Wayne Rooney is starting to show good form while Van Gaal has shown a lot of faith in 19-year-old forward James Wilson.

Falcao acknowledges he faces tough competition to earn a regular starting berth.

“We have a group of strikers who are very good and that’s good for everyone,” he 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.”

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Tips on buying property during a pandemic

Islay Robinson, group chief executive of mortgage broker Enness Global, offers his advice on buying property in today's market.

While many have been quick to call a market collapse, this simply isn’t what we’re seeing on the ground. Many pockets of the global property market, including London and the UAE, continue to be compelling locations to invest in real estate.

While an air of uncertainty remains, the outlook is far better than anyone could have predicted. However, it is still important to consider the wider threat posed by Covid-19 when buying bricks and mortar. 

Anything with outside space, gardens and private entrances is a must and these property features will see your investment keep its value should the pandemic drag on. In contrast, flats and particularly high-rise developments are falling in popularity and investors should avoid them at all costs.

Attractive investment property can be hard to find amid strong demand and heightened buyer activity. When you do find one, be prepared to move hard and fast to secure it. If you have your finances in order, this shouldn’t be an issue.

Lenders continue to lend and rates remain at an all-time low, so utilise this. There is no point in tying up cash when you can keep this liquidity to maximise other opportunities. 

Keep your head and, as always when investing, take the long-term view. External factors such as coronavirus or Brexit will present challenges in the short-term, but the long-term outlook remains strong. 

Finally, keep an eye on your currency. Whenever currency fluctuations favour foreign buyers, you can bet that demand will increase, as they act to secure what is essentially a discounted property.

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative