Van Gaal insists playing Falcao with the U21 squad is not a 'humiliation'
Van Gaal said the Colombian striker understood the reasons why he played in the under 21 fixture against Tottenham on Tuesday - to improve his confidence and fitness.
And he pointed out that Michael Carrick, Ashley Young, Jonny Evans and Adnan Januzaj have all played for the under 21s this season, saying: "We pay players to play whether it's for the first team or second."
But with Van Gaal admitting he had no idea why Falcao has struggled in English football, United still seem highly unlikely to turn Falcao's loan move from Monaco into a permanent deal this summer.
He said: “I have read that it’s a ‘humiliation’ but I don’t think so. It’s a professional attitude, a professional attitude of the manager, of his management of the club but especially also from the player.
“He has not reacted like the media have reacted. I have explained already five months ago that every player who doesn’t play has to play sometimes, not regularly, but sometimes when we think it’s needed to play more minutes in the second team.
Radamel Falcao Player Profile
We pay a lot for the players so it is normal they play football for us, that is also in the second team
Louis van Gaal,
“Not only Falcao played on Tuesday, also Victor Valdes and Rafa da Silva. Rafa played a very good match and scored a wonderful goal and because of that he can grab his confidence again.
“That can pick up all the players who are playing in the second squad because although it is a lower level [than first team football] players can play more than 70 minutes [of competitive football] for example, and that’s not normal in an every day training session.
“Every player needs match rhythm. We pay a lot for the players so it is normal they play football for us, that is also in the second team. Falcao didn’t play his best match in the second team but he tried to do his utmost best, more I can’t ask of players."
After scoring only four goals this season Falcao has been left on the bench for United's last three games fuelling suggestions that United have already made up their mind to send him back to Monaco.
Asked why it is has not worked for a player who was so successful with his former clubs, Van Gaal said: “You never can say that. We are looking for the solution for him but you never can know that. There are a lot of aspects you can’t control as a manager, nor as a player.
“That’s also the beauty of the football world, that you can give fantastic performances in another country but not in the country you are playing in presently.
Van Gaal clashes with reporters after Arsenal defeat [AMBIENT]
“This is not the first example and it shall not be the last example. A lot of players need more time to adapt to the new situation, to the new culture, to the higher rhythm of the English game - to a lot of aspects.
“You can easily write ‘He can’t play football, he didn’t do that.’ But I can’t say that and don’t want to say that because Falcao, and all the other players, are working very hard and I’m very pleased with their attitude.
“At a club like Manchester United, it’s more difficult than at a minor club because he has competitors here and now Wayne is playing there and Wayne is scoring. So you always have to compare players with each other but you also need luck and you need a lot of luck when you’re a striker because you are more dependent on your fellow players.
“But he is doing his utmost best. He shows a professional attitude - not only Falcao but all the other players - but you can’t always win.”
Even though Robin Van Persie is still ruled out, Falcao looks set to remain on the bench for Sunday's vital game against top four rivals Tottenham.
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