Radamel Falcao's long-term fitness has been plunged into
further doubt after it emerged that the Manchester United striker has to pack
his troublesome left knee in ice after every game.
United insisted on a rigorous medical before signing Falcao
from Monaco in a £6million loan on deadline day due to the cruciate ligament
injury he suffered in a French Cup tie in January that ruled him out of last
summer’s World Cup.
The deal could rise to £52m if United decide to sign the
Colombia striker permanently next year, but there are growing concerns at Old
Trafford about committing to such a huge deal for a player who earns
£280,000-a-week and has yet to prove his fitness.
Falcao’s new team-mates are understood to be surprised that
he has to wrap his knee in an ice-pack after matches and training sessions to
prevent any swelling, and questions have also been asked about his ability to
return to peak condition after such a serious injury at the age of 28.
The Colombia star has made just three starts for United and
two more appearances off the bench, scoring just once in the win over Everton
at Old Trafford last month.
Falcao posted the picture above on Instagram after the
Toffees match and it appears to show him with a pack on his knee under the
towel.
He has missed the last three games against Chelsea,
Manchester City and Crystal Palace due to a calf injury picked up in training,
with manager Louis van Gaal said to be harbouring doubts that he is physically
up to the challenge of playing regularly in the Premier League.
But it is his left knee that is more of a long-term concern
after Falcao admitted before his United debut in September that he had feared
he might not play again.
The former Porto and Atletico Madrid striker came off the
bench on his last appearance at West Brom and Van Gaal warned last week that
Falcao is not guaranteed a starting place when he returns from injury after
United switched to a one-striker system.
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