Radamel Falcao Admits He Wanted Angel Di Maria to Sign for Monaco

Manchester United new signing Radamel Falcao has revealed he tried to convince his new teammate Angel Di Maria to join him at Monaco during his time with the Ligue 1 side.

The Argentine international's future at Real Madrid was under scrutiny following the arrival of Gareth Bale to the Santiago Bernabeu in 2013.

Di Maria was said to be desperately trying to leave the Spanish giants and during the January transfer window, reports in Spain claimed he was close to a move to Monaco.

Falcao and Di Maria share the same agent in Jorge Mendes and the Colombian international claimed he attempted to persuade Monaco that the midfielder would be a good fit.

"When I was at Monaco, I tried to get him to join me there," Falcao said to Fox Deportes.

Although Falcao failed to make that happen, the pair completed moves to Manchester United during this year's summer transfer window and the Colombian striker is delighted about the partnership he will form with the ex-Real Madrid star.

"He [Di Maria] is a key player, compliments are short in order to describe him. I know how much he can benefit a striker. He is going to be very helpful to me. We speak the same language, we are both south Americans... He is going to give an extra [boost] to Manchester United with his great talent," Falcao said.

Falcao made his Premier League debut on Sunday 14 September, after coming off the bench in the 4-0 victory over Queens Park Rangers.

"It was wonderful, from the public reception to the moment I walked on to the pitch. The supporters showed me their love," Falcao said.

And the forward also heaped praise on his new manager, Louis van Gaal.

"He told me to play like I always do," Falcao said. "He gave me some tactical instructions for the set-pieces. He is a coach who likes good football. He take care of every any [issues]. He demands and brings out the best of the players day to day."