Radamel Falcao Fitness: Updates on Manchester United Star's Status and Return

Updates from Saturday, Nov. 29

Radamel Falcao made his return to the pitch for United on Saturday against Hull City, according to Manchester United's official Twitter feed:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 28

Louis van Gaal has confirmed Radamel Falcao may return to his matchday squad for Saturday's clash with Hull City.

Daniel Taylor of the Guardian tweeted:

However, Van Gaal confirmed that Falcao would not start the match, according to Manchester United's official website:  

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Falcao is not ready. It is the same thing with Evans. When you are out of the running for so long and not training with your fellow players and only running because of the injury, one week of training sessions is not sufficient to develop match rhythm. I need strikers now, so maybe he is in the 18.

"

Updates from Sunday, Nov. 23

Radamel Falcao updated fans on his status as he looks to return to the Manchester United starting lineup:

Updates from Thursday, Nov. 20

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal reported that Radamel Falcao suffered a setback in training, according to the club's official Twitter feed:

However, Van Gaal said that Falcao will return to full training on Sunday, via the club:

Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 18

Radamel Falcao is tipped to make his Manchester United return at Arsenal on Saturday following issues with his knee.

Mark Ogden of the Telegraph reports:

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Although the loss of Dutch midfielder Daley Blind to a knee ligament injuryfor an estimated 4-6 weeks will force Van Gaal to re-shuffle his midfield, the United manager is confident of being able to add Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Radamel Falcao to the suspension-free Chris Smalling to his squad for the game at the Emirates.

[...] With Evans, Jones and Falcao all remaining at the Aon Training Centre during the international break in order to focus on their rehabilitation, all three are in contention to be named in the squad against Arsenal.

"

Updates from Saturday, Nov. 15

Paul Handler of the Manchester Evening News has an update on Falcao from Colombia manager Jose Pekerman:

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There is no doubt he is in optimal condition. He's recovered very successfully. He done everything perfectly. This is a small muscular injury, it is different to the knee injury before the World Cup.

He's in a good condition and could be ready for Arsenal. He hasn't even started yet. He will be one of the best players Manchester United have had and will break a lot of records in England.

"

Updates from Friday, Nov. 14

Manchester United have been promised a superstar will emerge when Radamel Falcao finally shakes off his ongoing knee problem.

Colombia boss Jose Pekerman commented, per Hector Nunns of the Daily Mirror:

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Falcao is at one of the best clubs in the world, in one of the best leagues and with one of the best managers under Louis Van Gaal.

Playing in England is clearly a new experience for him – but everywhere he has been he has adapted and excelled, achieved great things.

That was the case in South America, and also in Europe in Spain and at Monaco. There is no doubting his ability.

And I am sure that Manchester United fans will see him at his very best once he has got through this difficult moment with injuries.

"

Updates from Wednesday, Nov. 12

Jamie Jackson of the Guardian provides a statement from Louis van Gaal discussing Radamel Falcao's potential return for Manchester United:

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'Falcao has a calf injury, Evans a foot problem, Da Silva a muscular complaint, and Jones is recovering from a shin problem. All the issues are severe enough that they might not even make the bench for the game on 22 November at the Emirates.'

Asked if any of the quartet might return, Van Gaal said: 'No, I don’t think so because now some of them have already not played for five, six, seven weeks. They could sit on the bench because they can play 20 minutes but I cannot put a lot of players who are not 100% fit on the bench. You saw what happened with [Paddy] McNair [getting cramp against Crystal Palace] because the rhythm of the game is very high in the Premier League.'

"

Updates from Tuesday, Nov. 11

Radamel Falcao posted a positive message on his Instagram on Tuesday, following speculation that his knee injury was threatening his Manchester United career.

Falcao has until Nov. 22 to get himself fit for United's next game with Arsenal, and he posted the following picture, accompanied by the words: "Ready to train with the best motivation."

Updates from Monday, Nov. 10

The severity of Radamel Falcao's ongoing knee injury is highlighted by the fact he has to ice the problem area after extra training session, reports the Guardian's Jamie Jackson.

Falcao's loan spell is yet to take off, and his recent lack of first-team action has cast doubts over whether United will make his stay a permanent one. Jackson reports:

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Radamel Falcao is having to ice his left knee following every training session and match to mitigate against further damage following the serious injury he suffered in January.

[...] It is understood that since his arrival at United, Falcao’s need to apply an ice pack on his left knee following any kind of physical exertion has surprised United players over the degree of treatment required.

"

Falcao later replied to the story, via Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News:

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However on Monday, hours after an article alleged United's medical staff constantly apply ice to the Colombian's knee, Falcao vented his anger on Twitter.

'One fool speculates. A few others lacking objectivity respond and millions believe lies. It is disastrous what a few fools can do,' Falcao wrote.

"

The star striker was also ruled out of Columbia's international matches, via NBC Sports Soccer:

Updates from Friday, Nov. 7

Louis van Gaal has confirmed Radamel Falcao's ongoing absence for Manchester United ahead of their clash with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Van Gaal provided the latest, via United's official Twitter:

Updates from Friday, Oct. 31

Manchester United's official Twitter feed reported on Radamel Falcao's availability for the Manchester derby:

Radamel Falcao will be available for the Manchester derby, according to the Daily Star's Jeremy Cross.

Cross writes:

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United boss Van Gaal has been boosted by the news that Radamel Falcao is winning his battle to fit for the derby showdown at the Etihad Stadium.

[...] Falcao has missed the last two games due to an ankle problem but is understood to have made himself available for selection.

"

Updates from Monday, Oct. 27

Radamel Falcao is expected to return to the Manchester United squad when they face rivals City in the forthcoming Manchester derby.

Falcao missed the draw with Chelsea, but Louis van Gaal told MUTV, per talkSPORT:

"

Falcao took a kick in training on Thursday and couldn't play because of that.

We'll have to wait and see, but I don't think the injury is too bad. Today's match [against Chelsea] came too soon for him.

"

Updates from Sunday, Oct. 26

Manchester United confirm Radamel Falcao will not play today:

Original Text

It's no secret that Manchester United will have to put in a Herculean effort to upset Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday, but the task will become that much tougher should they take the field without one of their key players.

According to ManUtd.com's Adam Marshall, on-loan striker Radamel Falcao picked up an injury in training on Friday and is a doubt to play against the Blues.

Manager Louis Van Gaal commented on the situation, via the team's official Twitter account:

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Louis van Gaal says he will have to "wait and see" if @Falcao is fit enough to feature for #mufc v Chelsea. More: http://t.co/CQU8NXh8fC

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 25, 2014"

Falcao—on loan from AS Monaco—has played in just five EPL games for the Red Devils this season, scoring one goal on 11 shots and assisting on two others, per ESPN.com. Van Gaal was quick to point out that Falcao's new fitness concern is unrelated to an earlier issue with his knee.

Jon Super/Associated Press

"He had a knee problem but not anymore. We have to build Falcao up, that I have also said in the first press conference when he came to our club," he said, via Marshall.

Chelsea has been the class of the Premier League in the early goings. The Blues have picked up 22 points from eight games and have yet to lose this season. Manchester United currently sit eighth in the table, garnering just 12 points from eight contests, well below their usual standards.

Should Falcao miss the game, goals could be very hard to come by. Manager Jose Mourinho is renowned for his defensive tactics and the Blues have allowed just eight goals this season.