Radamel Falcao: Man Utd striker dismisses fitness doubts

Image source, Getty Images

Image caption, Falcao has scored one goal in five appearances for Manchester United

Manchester United striker Radamel Falcao has dismissed questions over his long-term fitness but is still two weeks from a first-team comeback.

The Colombian, 28, is yet to complete a full game since joining in September and will miss Saturday's trip to Arsenal with an ongoing calf problem.

"There are a lot of stories circulating that are pure speculation," he said.

"It detracts from the credibility of the media that there is so much speculation and so many falsehoods."

clarified that manager Louis van Gaal's reference to a "new injury" in his Thursday media conference was intended to differentiate Falcao's calf complaint from the anterior cruciate ligament damage he suffered in January, rather than indicate a further setback in his recovery.

Falcao, on loan from Monaco, has scored one goal in five appearances for United.

He last played in the 2-2 draw with West Brom on 20 October and the latest update on his recovery means he will miss the home matches against Hull and Stoke on 29 November and 2 December respectively.

"I feel well and I hope to come back to the pitch soon," said Falcao, who missed his side's World Cup campaign because of his knee injury.

"It is disappointing that I can't play, but I have to be calm and recover because that is important to help the team when I return to the games."