Dirty TackleFuture News: Falcao offers to play as a central defender for Manchester United
Manchester United's deadline-day loan signing, Radamel Falcao, has offered to play as a center back for his new club despite being one of the most prolific strikers in the game.
With the likes of Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie already in the squad, the signing of the Colombian international came as a surprise to many fans and pundits given Man United's strength at that position and weakness at others. But those concerns were disregarded as the club spent the final hours of the summer transfer window sealing a season-long loan deal with a £6 million fee and £190,000-£265,000 a week for Falcao — a move that even the player finds perplexing.
"It is a dream come true to be a Manchester United player," the 28-year-old striker told all the reporters who could fit into the backseat of a Corvette outside the club's training complex. "But I'm not sure why I'm here. I would never want to prevent great footballers like Rooney and Van Persie from playing. So I have already told the manager that I would be willing to play as a central defender instead. I have much to learn at that position, but so do the club's other options there."
Man United signed £14 million Ajax midfielder Daley Blind earlier in the day to complete a summer spend of more than £150 million, which also included a British record £60 million on Angel Di Maria. Yet the squad still has areas that can be improved.
When asked about the addition of Falcao, who missed much of last season and the World Cup with a torn ACL, Man United CEO and summoner of destruction Ed Woodward made it clear that this was more than just a deal of opportunity.
"Bringing in Falcao was important for three reasons," he said. "First and foremost, sponsors love goals even more than I love sponsors. Second, Wayne Rooney is probably going to make another transfer demand any day now — especially since we're paying Falcao so much — so we have to be prepared for that. Third, we plan to have Robin van Persie undergo knee surgery even if he doesn't actually need it and that will keep him out for a while. And finally, I'm not even sure 'defender' is an actual position in this game. So clearly anyone who questions this move just doesn't know what they're talking about."
This has been Future News: news from the future.
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is the editor of Dirty Tackle on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow on Twitter! Follow @BrooksDT
