Robin van Persie backs Radamel Falcao(Getty)
Manchester United striker Robin van Persie has picked Radamel Falcao in his ideal Old Trafford
five-a-side team even though the Colombian international has struggled
to convince manager Louis van Gaal he deserves a place in his starting
line-up.
The former Atletico Madrid striker arrived from Monaco on a season-long loan deal
on deadline day in the summer expecting to become a crucial asset for
Van Gaal in the manager's attempt to resurrect the Premier League giants
to their title-challenging status.
But Falcao has struggled to make the impact expected
due to an injury suffered at the beginning of the campaign, making only
three starting appearances.
Even though the
Colombian star recently suggested he is fully fit to play again, Van
Gaal has opted to use youngster James Wilson ahead of him up front.
Falcao has only made brief cameos against Hull City and Stoke City – and he did not play a single minute in the victory over Liverpool.
On 17 December, Falcao
admitted should the situation not change, he may have to consider
turning down the chance of signing a permanent deal at Old Trafford at the end of the season.
"From my point of view, yes, I want to stay but obviously I have to analyse the situation. I'll see if I play more and see what decision the board takes. But from my point of view, I really want to stay," he said.
But Van Persie appears to have more faith in Falcao, picking the Colombian star ahead of Angel Di Maria and Juan Mata.
"That's
a good question because you have to make a decision if you want to go
with attackers or have a combination and you might need a goalkeeper!
[Laughs]," Van Persie said when asked by Manchester United's official website.
"I
will go for David [De Gea] in goal. I need one defender so I will go
with Michael Carrick because he can play in both positions [defence and
midfield], then I'll go for strikers so Wayne [Rooney]. I'm involved
as well? I'm not on the bench?! So me, David, Michael, Wayne and...
this is very hard because you have Juan [Mata], you have [Angel] Di Maria and you have Falcao... I'll go for Falcao."