Radamel Falcao Addresses Manchester United Rumours

Atletico Madrid's in-demand striker Radamel Falcao has dismissed suggestions he will join Premier League champions elect Manchester United this summer.

The Columbia international is the third highest scorer in La Liga this season, behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and has scored 146 goals in the past three and a half seasons for club and country.

United added Robin van Persie to their artillery in the summer, but despite the Dutchman's impressive goal return, the struggles of Wayne Rooney, who has toiled in his new-found withdrawn attacking role, and Danny Welbeck, a scorer of just one Premier League goal this season, has affected the club's ability to fight adequately on four fronts this season.

Rooney's omission from the Champions League last 16 second leg against Real Madrid, which saw Jose Mourinho's side prevail, was an example of how the England international has fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford while Van Persie's recent run of 10 games without a goal has highlighted the unhealthy dependence on the ex-Arsenal forward and the need for the league leaders to add to their forward line.

Falcao's reputation as one of the outstanding forwards in world football has seen him linked constantly with moves to Chelsea, Manchester City and Real Madrid, but recent rumours of a switch to United have passed the 27 year old by.

"In recent weeks I have tried to isolate myself and not think about the rumours about my future," Falcao told Colombian radio station RCN.

"I do not really know where that information has come from [joining Manchester United], that is part of the press.

"I'm focused only on Atletico Madrid. I do not let the market rumours affect my performance."

Atletico are closing in on their highest La Liga finish since they last won the title in 1996, with Falcao's 24 domestic goals having briefly allowed Diego Simeone's side to flirt with a tilt at the league championship before Barcelona took firm control.

Falcao was part of the FC Porto side which won four trophies under Andre Villas-Boas during the 2010/11 campaign, with the ex-River Plate forward scoring 17 goals in their run to Europa League success.

His startling form has continued since joining Atletico in 2011 and he was named in the 2012 FIFA World XI last January.

United were understood to have sent scouts to watch Falcao score a double in a 5-0 win over Granada over the weekend as their interest continues to swell.