Van Persie Excited By Falcao Competition

Robin van Persie has embraced the deadline day capture of Radamel Falcao and admits he is relishing the competition for places at Manchester United.

The Colombian hotshot has joined from Monaco on a season-long loan deal to bolster Louis van Gaal’s attacking options following a disappointing start to the Barclays Premier League campaign that has yielded just two points from nine.

Van Persie says he is jostling for position with Falcao, club captain Wayne Rooney and young Academy graduate James Wilson, and the Dutchman is excited by the challenge ahead, citing Falcao as a fantastic addition to the squad.

"I welcome his arrival, he makes us better," Robin told Dutch media outlet Fox Sports NL. "At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy. Falcao must fight for his place, as I also have to. We must duke with Wayne Rooney and James Wilson to see who is playing."

Van Persie has also dismissed speculation that is about to undergo surgery on a knee injury that would keep him sidelined for several months.

"I am impressed that people can pick up the imagination to invent something like that," Robin explains. "I do not know where it comes from and can say with my hand on my heart that I won't be in a hospital to have the operation."