Falcao must prove worth to van Gaal
Despite a difficult, injury-hit start to life at Old Trafford, Falcao this week spelled out his desire to stay at the club beyond the end of the season.
The Colombian, who is on a season-long loan from Monaco, says he is settled in Manchester and happy at the club despite scoring just once in eight appearances.
Van Gaal will not be rushed into making a decision on whether to exercise his right to sign the player in a £43.5million deal though.
The United manager wants the former Porto and Atletico Madrid striker to prove his fitness and form first.
“He hasn’t played so much,” Van Gaal said when asked about the possibility of signing Falcao.
“You cannot see too much of a player if he doesn’t train so much. He has been injured a lot of time. First you have to be fit. Now he shows fitness in the training sessions so maybe I shall select him (for today’s game at Aston Villa), maybe for the bench or the line up. Let’s wait and see.”
Van Gaal endured a difficult start to life in England, but his team have turned a corner of late. The win over Liverpool kept United in third position, eight points shy of leaders Chelsea.
United may have won six successive games, but so far their performances have not been up to scratch, Van Gaal admits.
Alex Ferguson made a habit of winning titles on the back of occasionally scrappy displays, but Van Gaal, ever the perfectionist, wants to see performances as well as results.
“I am not only focused on results,” said the Dutchman, who has won leagues in Holland, Spain and Germany.
“When I speak with Sir Alex (about playing badly and still winning), he says: ‘It’s not any problem, you have won’, but for me it’s also the performances that are very important because when you perform you shall win more and that’s what I want to show to the fans.
“When you win six times in a row, then the confidence is rising, but I am still looking for a game that is closer to the perfect game than we have given until now.”
Liverpool managed to breach the United defence on several occasions last weekend, but they could not find a way past David de Gea, who put in yet another outstanding display in goal.
Van Gaal snapped when asked about the progress of negotiations with the Spaniard over an extension to his current contract, which expires in 18 months.
“No,” was his terse reply when questioned on the subject. Van Gaal also bristled when pressed about Victor Valdes, the former Barcelona goalkeeper has been training at United for two months. Valdes is currently recovering from a serious knee injury and is free to sign for any club.
Liverpool have been linked with the 32-year-old after Brendan Rodgers dropped Simon Mignolet last weekend.
When asked about the reports linking Valdes with Anfield, Van Gaal said: “Ok, then he goes to Liverpool... You are suggesting and it’s a big mistake to do that as the media.
“That’s why I am always angry because you are inventing stories. There are no stories. He is training here. I give him the possibility and then we shall see.”
Van Gaal said British record signing Angel di Maria could return from a hamstring injury for the today’s game but Marouane Fellaini has been ruled out through illness. Michael Carrick could move up into his favoured midfield position because of Fellaini’s absence.
United have won all six games since Carrick returned to the first team following an ankle injury, but Van Gaal insists the England midfielder’s form is not the sole reason why the Red Devils have improved.
“I think you give too much honour to Michael Carrick,” Van Gaal said.
“But he is my captain so he brings a lot of experience but also a lot of composure.”
Van Gaal’s side are clearly outsiders to lift the trophy but Villa boss Paul Lambert says they should not be written off.
“They might not be able to lose many more games if they are going to win the title but they’re certainly in with a shout,” said the Villa boss.
“It is still a brilliant club with great players. The players they have brought in, there are not many teams in world football who can do that. They’re a really good side.”
Villa will be without three players through suspension. On-loan Tom Cleverley, who would not have been allowed to play against his parent club anyway, is banned alongside Alan Hutton and Kieran Richardson.
Ashley Westwood (knee), Joe Cole (hamstring), Philippe Senderos (calf) and Nathan Baker (knee) are all injured, but captain Ron Vlaar and midfielder Fabian Delph are available.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
