Radamel Falcao has been told by Louis van Gaal he is not wanted at Manchester United next season, with the centre forward returning to Monaco following an unsuccessful season-long loan that cost the club a total £16m and yielded only four goals.

Falcao’s last strike was on January 31st in a 3-1 win over Leicester City at Old Trafford. He made only 17 starts in all competitions as the 29-year-old struggled to recapture his best form following a long lay-off for the serious knee injury he suffered at the start of last year.

While Falcao is understood to want to play on in the Premier League, preferably at Chelsea or Arsenal, his departure means Van Gaal will require at least one new striker new season. This could rise to two as the club will listen to offers for Robin van Persie this summer.

(Guardian Services)