Falcao's first-team hopes scuppered as Vidic rubbishes rumours of shock return

Posted Friday, December 12, 2014 by Express.co.uk

LOUIS VAN GAAL'S plan to give ring-rusty Radamel Falcao some reserve-team action has been scuppered while rumours that Nemanja Vidic could return to Old Trafford have been rubbished.

Falcao's first-team hopes scuppered as Vidic rubbishes rumours of shock return
Falcao faces a longer stint out of the first team and Vidic rumours were quashed

The postponement of United's under 21 fixture against neighbours City this weekend means the second string will not play again until January 9.

And that will hit Falcao's chances of forcing his way back into the first team. The Colombian striker has not started a game since injuring a calf in October and Van Gaal has refused to rush him back until he has had some competitive action for the reserves.

Van Gaal adopted the same policy when Luke Shaw, Ander Herrera, Michael Carrick and Jonny Evans came back from injuries earlier this season.

Falcao, who has yet to complete a full 90 minutes since his loan move from Monaco, was left unused on the bench at Southampton on Monday after two brief outings as a substitute in the previous two games against Hull and Stoke.

And he looks certain for more bench duty for the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford on Sunday, with Van Gaal considering arranging a full-scale private practice match to help him get up to speed.

Vidic's agent, meanwhile, has angrily dismissed suggestions surfacing in Italy that the Serb has been lined up to re-join United on loan in the January transfer window to ease their defensive injury problems.

Vidic ended eight years at Old Trafford in May to join Inter Milan on a free transfer but has struggled to make an impact at the San Siro where he has not played since November 9. Roberto Mancini has replaced Water Mazarri as manager with Inter struggling in 12th position in Serie A.

Vidic's wife, Ana, and one of their four children, fuelled rumours of a return when they were spotted at Old Trafford for United's draw with Chelsea in October but his agent Silvano Martina said: "It is lies. Nemanja has a three-year deal with Inter and will not leave Milan.

"There has been little respect shown towards my client. As soon as Inter lost a few games, people did not think twice to attack Vidic and point to him as the sole culprit. But I repeat: he will not leave Inter."