Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal must decide whether to recall Radamel Falcao to his starting line-up against Aston Villa on Saturday after the Colombia striker rediscovered his scoring form on international duty.
Falcao scored three goals in two games — against Bahrain in Manama and Kuwait in Abu Dhabi — over the last week and although those teams are hardly international heavyweights, his clinical performances can only have helped his confidence after a miserable spell at Old Trafford.
The 29-year-old hasn’t started for United since late February, has just four club goals all season and seems almost certain to leave when his season-long loan from Monaco expires at the end of the current campaign.
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But with United in the thick of the race for a top four finish in the Premier League, which guarantees a Champions League place, van Gaal must decide whether Falcao’s recent goal-scoring flurry is worthy of a first team call-up at Old Trafford this weekend.
Falcao himself is certain his form would improve with a prolonged run in van Gaal’s side.
“I need to play,” Falcao said. “I need minutes and I am confident about myself, about my fitness.”
A number of United players enjoyed successful international outings, most notably England pair Wayne Rooney and Michael Carrick, along with in-form Belgium midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who scored three goals in Belgium’s wins over Cyprus and Israel.
United are also in buoyant mood having gone into the international break on the back of a memorable 2-1 win at Liverpool, although captain Rooney has warned his side must avoid failing to capitalise on that result when they face Villa.
“Yes, it was a six-pointer at Liverpool but that means nothing if we don’t beat Aston Villa on Saturday,” Rooney said.
“Obviously Arsenal play Liverpool as well so if we can get the win against Villa that will be an even better result than Liverpool was for us.
“There are still eight games left but we are in a good position at the minute so it’s in our own hands, we have to make sure we do it.”
United should have defender Chris Smalling available against Villa, despite him coming off while on England duty due to illness.
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