FALCAO LIFELINE
United talk to Monaco over flop staying
RADAMEL FALCAO has been given a lifeline at Old Trafford after Monaco vice- president Vadim Vasilyev revealed that he has had talks with Manchester United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward.
The Monaco striker, who has scored just four goals in the Barclays Premier League since joining United on loan for the season, drew another blank at Stamford Bridge in the 1-0 defeat by Chelsea.
United have an exclusive option to sign Falcao at the end of the season and it has emerged that Monaco are prepared to take a significant reduction on the previously agreed £43.5million.
Vasilyev said: ‘I saw the Manchester United people last Sunday and they have not yet decided if they would exercise the option. It’s not his best season but they kept the opportunity to make a decision at the end of the season.’
United do not want to show their hand too early and the injuries to Robin van Persie, who
From Back Page played for United’s Under 21 development team on Monday evening, means Falcao is needed for the run-in. Vasilyev added: ‘We are not in any other negotiations, even if big clubs are interested. The decision is with Manchester, then we will discuss with the player what he wants.’ Falcao missed last summer’s World Cup in Brazil following a knee injury and it is thought he rushed his recovery in an attempt to play in the tournament for Colombia. Vasilyev added: ‘He had mishaps in Monaco. He had problems with the coach Claudio Ranieri, there was a lack of understanding. ‘He was also seriously injured and missed the World Cup. In late August, he came to tell us that he wanted to play at a higher level.’ Ranieri has since been replaced by Leonardo Jardim, who has backed Falcao to rediscover his goalscoring form. Jardim, preparing for tonight’s Champions League clash with Juventus in the Stade Louis II, admits he would welcome Falcao’s return at the end of the season. The Portuguese coach said: ‘He’s not had a great season that is true, but I’m sure he can come back to the levels he was at in the past, that much I’m convinced about. ‘It’s not a question for me but for the players, I’ve only worked with him for a month.’ In that time he scored twice for Monaco before his move to United, but he has struggled to recapture the form that made him one of the world’s most feared strikers. Monaco trail Juventus 1-0 from the first leg after conceding a controversial penalty, scored by Arturo Vidal. The Serie A leaders, who beat second-placed Lazio 2-0 last weekend, have not reached the Champions League final since they were beaten on penalties by Milan at Old Trafford in 2003. Juve keeper Gianluigi Buffon, who played in that final, said: ‘This is an important game for me, but above all for the players, the club. It’s a chance to show we’re back among the best teams in Europe; that Juventus are on the way back up in terms of European football. ‘If people doubt this team is coming back, it would be a significant message to send out. A semi-final — we would be proud to do that. ‘The coach has come in and everyone is on the same wavelength immediately, which has been very impressive.’
MONACO (4-2-3-1): Subasic; Toure, Abdennour, Wallace, Kurzawa; Fabinho, Moutinho; Carvalho, Silva, Ferreira-Carrasco; Berbatov.
JUVENTUS (4-3-2-1): Buffon; Lichsteiner, Bonucci, Chiellini, Evra; Pereyra, Pirlo, Marchisio; Vidal, Morata; Tevez.
Referee: Willie Collum (Sco).