LONDON: Manchester United, though needing more defenders and a central midfielder, have further strengthened attack by agreeing the loan signing of Radamel Falcao from Monaco on transfer deadline day.

Falcao had hoped for a return to Spanish football with Real Madrid after his year-long ‘exile’ in the south of France but a knee ligament injury cut his last season in half and forced hm to miss the World Cup.

Madrid’s own summer dealings left them with defensive rather than attacking priorities in the last few hours of transfer dealing.

Falcao, 28, joined Monaco from Atletico de Madrid for £50m last summer and scored 11 goals in 20 appearances before his injury. He has scored twice in three games this season after making his comeback during a pre-season tournament at Arsenal.

Falcao had also been linked with Arsenal, United’s Premier League rivals Manchester City as well as Italian champions Juventus.

He is United’s fifth summer signing under Louis Van Gaal after defenders Luke Shaw, Marcos Rojo, midfielder Ander Herrera and forward Angel Di Maria. Dutch World Cup defender Daley Blind is also close to joining for £14m from Ajax.

The loan of Falcao is likely to cost United around £9m, taking their summer spending beyond a record £140m.

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