Radamel Falcao thanks Manchester United fans for 'incredible support' as Old Trafford exit beckons

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has thanked fans for their "incredible support" as he approaches the end of his loan spell at Old Trafford.

Falcao, 29, signed for the club in a sensational deadline day loan move last September but has failed to find the form that once saw him regarded as one of the game's most feared strikers.

After being substituted in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal at Old Trafford, the Colombia international appeared to wave goodbye to those in attendance as he made his way off the pitch, the strongest indication yet that he will move on this summer.

The ex-Atletico Madrid star has yet to comment on his future beyond the end of the season but tweeted his 8.55m followers: "Thank you so much for the incredible support of the Manchester United fans all season. Unforgettable."

Falcao has struck just four goals in 29 appearances for the club this season and has not found the back of the net since February. His unconvincing performances in attack have seemingly ended his chances of earning a permanent move to Old Trafford, although his manager dodged questions over whether the player had said his final goodbye against Arsenal.

Questioned about Falcao's gesture to the United fans while being substituted, Louis van Gaal said: "I did not observe my players because I was with the fans."

Falcao's teammate David de Gea is also at the centre of rampant speculation regarding his immediate future.

Similarly to the Falcao situation, pre-match talk on Sunday focused on whether the Spain international would wave goodbye to supporters in what was United's last home game of the season, with Real Madrid ready to offer him a route back to Spain this summer.

After suffering an injury that forced him off in the 74<sup>th minute, de Gea went straight down the tunnel to receive treatment and returned from the dressing room after the match to join his teammates in a lap of honour, thanking the home fans in attendance who sang "David de Gea, we want you to stay" throughout.