Football
ESPN staff 10y

Radamel Falcao ready to show he is still at 'top level' after United move

Radamel Falcao says he is now in "spectacular" condition as he bids to return Manchester United to their former glory.

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Falcao, who moved to United on loan from Monaco on deadline day, ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in a Coupe de France game in January, which caused him to miss the Word Cup.

He watched on as Colombia went out in the quarterfinals to hosts Brazil, but he finally made his international comeback against the same opponents in Miami on Friday to cap off a hectic week.

"I'm so happy to be back and to have this opportunity life has granted me after the injury," Falcao, who came on for the last 13 minutes of the 1-0 defeat, was quoted as saying in the Mail on Sunday. "I'm excited about being able to join Manchester United. I hope to score a lot of goals for them -- that is something I have done everywhere I have played.

"Because of the injury I felt so nervous before this game, almost like it was my first time with the national team. I expect it will be the same before I play my first game for United.

"Physically I feel spectacular. I have been able to play without any kind of trouble whatever. Throughout my rehab people have given me so much support and sent me so many kind messages. I want to thank them by giving them as much happiness as possible. As time passes and I get into game shape, I believe I will show I'm still at the top level."

The nature of Falcao's injury ensured he underwent a rigorous medical at United's Carrington training centre on Monday night, with his move confirmed more than two hours after the transfer deadline had passed.

He had been strongly linked with a move to Real Madrid throughout the summer but said he was delighted to be at Old Trafford.

"It is a dream come true to play for such a great and famous club," he said. "To bring the good times back is what we all want and I will work extra hard to do that. United are an historic club, one of the three best clubs in the world.

"They've made me feel very important in this new project and I'm very pleased and happy to have joined them.

"There has been too much speculation about other clubs but that's in the past now and I've chosen to join Manchester United. Going there was always in my best interests."

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