Abu Dhabi: Radamel Falcao is hopeful he can remain at Manchester United, despite his current travails at Old Trafford, after scoring for Colombia in Abu Dhabi on Monday night.
Falcao’s confident 74th-minute penalty in a 3-1 international friendly win over a plucky Kuwait side at Zayed Sports City was his record-equalling 24th goal for his country. It was also the striker’s third strike in two games the South Americans, following his brace in a 6-0 rout of Bahrain last Thursday.
Such potency contrasts sharply with his paltry return of only four goals in 22 outings for the Red Devils after moving to England on a season-long loan from Monaco last summer.
Does he expect to remain with the English Premier League giants next season, then? “I have faith about that and, when the season finishes, I am going to sit down and think about my future and what is the best for my career,” the 29-year-old told media.
“When I score, it’s always important. That gives me confidence. I said before, I need minutes, I need to play games in a row. Here with the national team I had that opportunity and I gave my best. I scored and I return now to Manchester with more confidence.
“We have the last eight games. I will give my best to have the chance to play as many minutes as possible. I am confident in myself and about my fitness.”
Falcao may have dispatched his spot-kick with aplomb, firing it beyond Kuwait goalkeeper Hamed Yousuf into the top corner, but there was an air of contention about the award of the penalty.
The former Atletico Madrid and Porto man appeared to have been tripped by Musaed Al Enazi outside the penalty area, although the record books will show that his subsequent strike equalled Arnoldo Iguaran’s 24-year-old best mark of 24 goals for Colombia.
Abel Aguilar’s stunning volley had put Jose Pekerman’s side ahead, only for Al Enazi to bundle in a shock equaliser on the stroke of half-time.
Abdullah Al Buraiki struck the post for Kuwait shortly after the break, but Colombia — ranked 122 places above their opponents in the Fifa world rankings — regained the lead thanks to Edwin Cardona’s long-range effort in the 68th minute, before Falcao’s spot-kick sealed the win.
Colombia coach Pekerman did not want to be drawn into a debate over Falcao’s future afterwards, but said: “If Falcao leaves Manchester United, it is a personal decision. I’m not the right person to have a say on this matter. I always want him to be happy. He is an experienced player, intelligent.”
