ESPN FC’s Alejandro Moreno, Shaka Hislop and Steve Nicol discuss whether or not Manchester United are Premier League title contenders after winning six consecutive league matches.
Radamel Falcao is adamant he still wants to sign a long-term deal with Manchester United, despite being left on the bench for their last four matches.
The Colombia striker is spending the season on loan at Old Trafford and United have the option to purchase him from Monaco for 43.5 million pounds next summer.
Falcao has only begun three games for United, the last of them on Oct. 5, and has not been brought back into the starting XI since recovering from a calf injury as manager Louis van Gaal has chosen Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and teenager James Wilson ahead of him.
But former Porto and Atletico Madrid forward Falcao said he is keen to remain at Old Trafford, stating: “Obviously I have to analyse the situation, see if I play more and see what decision the board takes. But from my point of view, I really want to stay. I am very happy in this city, in this club and I am enjoying it here.”
Falcao said he is almost fully fit and revealed he had discussed his bit-part role with Van Gaal.
He added: “I am very well. I’m almost at 100 percent now. Let’s see wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more.
“We talk a lot, the coach and I. He has a philosophy that I respect. I have had an injury, and I have had to wait for the opportunity to play.”
Falcao has struggled for full fitness during his time at Old Trafford.
Falcao, who had been accustomed to starting for his previous clubs, has only played 62 minutes of football for United in the last two months and said he could not be happy to be out of the team.
He explained: “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.
“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.”
Falcao scored 155 goals in 200 games for Porto, Atletico and Monaco but has struck just once in eight matches as a United player.
And during his time on the bench, both Rooney and Van Persie have returned to goal-scoring form as United have won their last six games.
“We have a group of strikers who are very good and that’s good for everyone,” the 28-year-old 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.”