Manchester United: Louis van Gaal opens door for Radamel Falcao to remain at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has confirmed that striker Javier Hernandez will be allowed to leave at the end of the season, while Radamel Falcao could remain at the club, but will not be guaranteed a starting spot by the manager.

The Mexican forward is currently on a season long loan with reigning European champions Real Madrid, but the Spanish capital club are not interested in making the deal permanent. The striker has admitted to being frustrated at the Santiago Bernabeu due to lack of game time and will return to Old Trafford at the end of the season.

There will be plenty of clubs interested in signing the United striker, with Premier League clubs Southampton and West Ham United showing interest in the proven goal scorer.

Falcao, on the other hand, is on-loan from French club AS Monaco, with United having an option to make the deal permanent at the end of the season. But the Colombian striker has struggled to make an impact under the Dutchman and has found it hard to nail down a regular place in the starting XI owing to his lack of goals thus far in the season.

However, the manager has indicated that he has been impressed with some of the former Atletico Madrid striker's performances and also claimed luck was a factor in Falcao's struggles at Old Trafford.

"Falcao has been given the chance to be in the team this season. You can say he is unlucky – he has the quality to play," Van Gaal said as quoted by the Mirror.

"I like him and the way he played against Chelsea last week. He was unlucky he didn't score. I like Falcao as a human being, just as I like Danny Welbeck and Chicharito (Hernandez), they are always professional."

"But when you are not in the team for season after season, there comes a time when you need a challenge. That's why I have said goodbye to Welbeck and Chicharito. And now I have to talk with Falcao," he added.