Falcao Ready To Fight For Starting Place

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has revealed he is "almost 100 per cent fit" and is relishing the competition for places up front alongside Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie and James Wilson.

The Colombian has made three substitute appearances since returning from a troublesome calf injury in November’s victory over Hull City at Old Trafford, most recently stepping off the bench to help consolidate Sunday’s entertaining 3-0 win over Liverpool.

Now that he is approaching full fitness, Falcao is determined to regain a starting place in Louis van Gaal’s team but readily admits he must earn that opportunity. "I feel ready for the moment that the team needs me," the 28-year-old told the Press Association.

"Whenever I have the opportunity to come on, I try to do my best for the coach [van Gaal] and I try to help the team. 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.

"I am almost at 100 per cent now, so let's wait and see what the decision of the coach is, when he wants to use me more. We have a group of strikers who are very good and that's good for everyone. 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."

Meanwhile, Juan Mata has praised Falcao’s attitude to training and hopes his team-mate will hit top form in the near future. "He is training very well and he is waiting for his opportunity like the great professional he is, like the great team-mate he is," Mata said. "It makes me happy that he played [against Liverpool] and it will make me even happier if he can score because he has been playing well in training."