Atletico Madrid play down Falcao to Manchester United reports

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has brushed off speculation linking star striker Radamel Falcao with a move to Manchester United.

The Colombian has been the subject of intense speculation for the majority of the season having starred in the Spanish capital since his move from Porto in the summer of 2011.

Chelsea and Manchester City have regularly been linked with the 27-year-old but Spanish daily Marca claimed on Wednesday that United were leading the chase for Falcao's signature.

Sir Alex Ferguson's side were said to have already opened talks with the La Liga
club over a £45million deal.

Simeone took the speculation in his stride, though, telling reporters this afternoon: "The same thing happened at the same stage of the season last year. It's not news.

"Falcao is a great player and it's logical that the best teams in the world are interested in him. It doesn't surprise me."