Manchester United not buying Falcao

United won a hotly-contested race to sign
the Colombia striker on loan from
Monaco last summer, but he has scored
just four goals in 29 appearances for
Louis van Gaal's side this season.
United had the chance to sign the 29-year-
old on a permanent basis for
£43.2million, but Press Association Sport
understands the club have told Falcao
they will not exercise that option.
Falcao was regarded as one of the best
strikers in the world after successful
spells at Porto, Atletico Madrid and
Monaco, but he has looked anything but a
world-class forward since moving to Old
Trafford.
Colombia's all-time top scorer got off the
mark for United in his fourth game - a 2-1
win over Everton.
But he only found the net three more
times after that fixture in October and has
not scored in his last 13 matches.
Falcao was left out of United's squad for
the final game of the season at Hull on
Sunday through injury, according to Van
Gaal.
The striker bade farewell to the United
fans last week when he came off in the
second half of the 1-1 draw against
Arsenal at Old Trafford.
Falcao has lacked the explosive pace and
eye for goal upon which he built his
reputation.
His progress has been hindered by a
failure to recover from a serious knee
injury he suffered playing for Monaco in
March last year.
Van Gaal refused to discuss Falcao's
future following the goalless draw at Hull,
which sent the Tigers down to the Sky Bet
Championship.
Van Gaal said: " I don't say if Falcao will
go today. Today is about the game and not
the decisions we have made. You will
hear it at the proper time and when
Manchester United want."
Several more players could follow out of
the exit door at United.
Doubts remain over Anders Lindegaard,
Jonny Evans, Rafael, Angel di Maria,
Adnan Januzaj, Robin van Persie, Nani
and Javier Hernandez.
Van Gaal will look to clear out a few of
those players to make way for new
signings, but the former Barcelona coach
knows he may not get his own way.
" The transfer period is a process. I know
which players have to go and which have
to come but you never know if they go or
if they come because it will depend on a
lot of aspects," he said.
Van Gaal will fly to his villa in Portugal
this week after a draining year.
The 63-year-old only had a two-day break
between the end of the World Cup and
taking charge of United. He is looking
forward to a holiday but will have his
phone close by his side.
" I go on holiday but I have contact with
(executive vice-chairman) Ed Woodward
every day as he is doing the negotiations,"
Van Gaal told MUTV.
"It shall be a heavy (busy) holiday."
Press Association