Football: Colombian striker ready to make stand at United

Monaco's Radamel Falcao (right). Photo / AP

Radamel Falcao has insisted he is ready to put down his football roots at Manchester United and "make history" at Old Trafford after completing his fourth transfer in five years to sign for the club.

The Colombian forward, whose season-long loan from AS Monaco was ratified by the Premier League more than two hours after the September 1 transfer deadline, could be one of four United debutants against Queens Park Rangers tomorrow night (NZT), with fellow summer signings Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind also in contention to face Harry Redknapp's team.

Falcao's move to United, which contributed to Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez leaving the club, is expected to become permanent with a 46 million ($91.5 million) transfer next year. But after moving frequently since arriving in Europe with a transfer from River Plate to Porto in 2009 - the forward has since played for Atletico Madrid and Monaco - Falcao claims that, at 28, the time has come for him to stay at a club long enough to make history.

"Yes, I hope to stay many years in Manchester United and make history in this club," Falcao said. "When I was at Porto and Atletico Madrid, I always wanted to improve, to achieve my dream of playing in a team like this. Now that I am at United, I want to stay here for many years. I am very happy to be here, but it is a big challenge for me, a big step for my career.

"I think United is the best club for my style of play and I am sure about my decision. This project in the future will be great for us."

Falcao's prolific strike-rate, which has been better than a goal every two games with Porto, Atletico and Monaco, made him one of the world's most sought-after forwards prior to his surprise move to the French club from Spain in the summer of 2013.

With Monaco aiming to cut costs and raise funds following the lavish spending of Russian owner Dmitry Rybolovlev, Falcao was allowed to follow fellow Colombian James Rodriguez out of the club.

The cruciate ligament injury sustained by Falcao in January, however, forced the player to miss the World Cup and raised doubts over his fitness - concerns which coincided with suggestions, which have been denied by United, that he is actually older than 28.

But despite not yet completing a full 90 minutes since returning from his injury during pre-season, Falcao has managed three goals in six appearances totalling 217 minutes for club and country and he insists he is fit and ready to play for United.

"Yes, I feel well," Falcao said. "I started to play two months ago with Monaco and I have improved a lot in the last months. I have scored goals and that is important to strikers.

"I am confident with my physical condition and I am comfortable with my knee. I feel very good in myself and I am happy to be here.

"So I don't think I will need too much time because United has very good players and that reason makes it easier to play football."

Manager Louis van Gaal, who defended his decision to sell Welbeck to Arsenal with a blunt appraisal of the forward's lack of progress at Old Trafford, claimed Falcao's performance in his first United training session offered instant justification of his decision to sign a player nicknamed "El Tigre".

"Today in training, he got one ball and it was in the goal," Van Gaal said. "He confirmed it [quality] in his first training session with me. But when I say this, I put too much pressure on him because I know it is very difficult to come from another club to Manchester United in a new process."

Van Gaal dismissed fears over striker Robin van Persie's fitness and suggestions of impending knee surgery. "Van Persie is fitter than before the World Cup," he said. "Maybe you remember I let him train the first three weeks before I let him play a game. He is more fit than ever before."