Updated 21.25pm
MANCHESTER UNITED HAVE confirmed Radamel Falcao will leave the club this summer and return to Monaco after a season-long loan.
The Colombian striker has had a largely unsuccessful time at Old Trafford, managing just four goals in 17 starts for the club.
The player, who has looked a shadow of his former prolific self this season, suffered a serious knee injury last year that appears to have impacted on his form.
In a statement released this evening, Louis van Gaal said: “Falcao is a top professional and a good human being. On behalf of myself and everyone at the club I would like to wish him well for the future.”
Meanwhile, Van Gaal wants David de Gea to end speculation over his future after Manchester United brought their season to a close with a goalless draw at Hull City.
De Gea was absent for United’s final game, which saw Hull relegated from the Premier League, after injuring his hamstring against Arsenal last weekend.
Victor Valdes replaced his fellow Spaniard, who has been heavily linked with a move to Real Madrid.
United manager Van Gaal is quoted by BBC Sport as saying: “I cannot say when it [De Gea's future] will be resolved. He has to say something.”
Valdes delivered a mixed display in De Gea’s absence, pulling off exceptional saves to deny Ahmed Elmohamady and Nikica Jelavic, but appearing uncomfortable under high balls into the box.
“In stopping the balls, he had a very good game. He also let go of the ball and we got lucky,” said Van Gaal, who also described the second-half dismissal of Marouane Fellaini for a stamp on Hull’s Paul McShane as “very stupid”.
United skipper Wayne Rooney hailed the stops made by Valdes and expressed hope that United can build on this season’s fourth-placed finish in the Premier League.
The England striker said: “Victor Valdes was excellent, he made some great saves and kept us in the game. He hasn’t won the medals and trophies [he has] because he is not a top-class goalkeeper.
“We knew if we made the Champions League this season, we can push on. A few new signings and we can challenge for silverware.”
