Colombia boss Jose Pekerman vows to help Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao through 'bad moment'

Colombia national team boss José Pékerman admits Radamel Falcao is in a "very bad moment" but is determined to help the Manchester United striker during the upcoming international break.

Falcao's hopes of securing a permanent transfer to Old Trafford from Monaco at the end of the season look to be fading after falling out of favour with Louis van Gaal following a string of uninspiring performances.

The 29-year-old has started just one game, after being hauled off against League One side Preston in the FA Cup in February, but is likely to return to the first team fold for Colombia in friendlies against Bahrain and Kuwait next week.

Pékerman feels Falcao is experiencing great "sadness" during his spell on the sidelines but is hopeful he can help reverse the striker's fortunes.

"It is a huge problem that we need to resolve, this problem is as large as the sadness that Falcao is going through now," Pékerman said.

"I feel I need to support him because I understand how hard it is for him and the difficult moment he is experiencing. I want to work with him again and help restore his confidence.

"I know Falcao's strengths, his mentality and his fighting spirit and I have never doubted that he will come out the other side. He's in a bad moment, but he's looking after himself and this week is going to be very important for him."

The depth of Falcao's struggles in Manchester was illustrated by his former agent Silvano Espindola, who suggested van Gaal was trying to humiliate the Colombian.

But Pékerman avoided blaming the Dutchman, insisting he is not in a position to comment on another coach's methods.

"Without being there you can't really comment about these matters," Pékerman continued.

"In terms of decisions taken regarding coaching methods, players the manager chooses or in which team a player plays for, I don't think I should comment on that.

"Of course, on a human level I am on Falcao's side because I know that he's suffering and he deserves the opportunity to work better and to have his chance to show that he's OK.

"But it is not my job to judge the decisions of another coach."