Radamel Falcao exclusive: 'The pace of the Premier League doesn't concern me'

Radamel Falcao will walk out at Old Trafford this afternoon for the first time confident he can live up to his billing. The Colombian striker is expected to start against Queens Park Rangers and doesn’t think that mastering the new environment of Premier League football will be a problem.

“It’s a massive challenge but I’ve played in four different countries and I have always been able to adapt,” he says. “The pace of the Premier League doesn’t concern me, I will adapt.

“I have my own expectations. I don’t feel under pressure. I have confidence in my ability and confidence to score goals.”

That doesn’t mean he will be necessarily calm beneath the confident exterior as he makes his way out on to the pitch with the famous No 9 shirt on his back.

“I feel like a child,” he says. “I’m excited. There is something special about pulling on the famous shirt for the first time. I rarely suffer from nerves but it will be a fantastic feeling walking out in front of those supporters for the first time.”

There are a number of factors which attracted Falcao to United including the lure of tradition. “I want to be part of the history at this club. I’m only focused on being a success,” he add. “England is the home of football and to be part of that and the history of the game gives me enormous confidence going forward.”

The 28-year-old marksman signed on a season-long loan from Monaco with a view to a permanent deal, with United paying a loan fee of £6million but a package totalling £16.4m including the striker’s £200,000-a-week wages. But the debt Falcao feels he must repay is to United manager Louis van Gaal for showing so much faith in him.

“Playing for Louis van Gaal made the decision to come to Manchester United a lot easier. He is a winner, he has met with success wherever he has gone. I believe in what he is trying to do and what he wants to achieve here.

“He is a manager with a big reputation and I want to be a part of that. I’m here to score goals and that is what I intend to do.”

And as one would expect him to say, he believes that United can win the title this season. “Why can’t we win?” he asks. “They are realistic expectations. I think success will come. It’s been a difficult period for the club but with the new signings and a great manager it’s only a matter of time before United are back to their best and winning trophies.

“There are a lot of new faces and it’s a period where people will need to get to know each other. However, you are talking about a lot of top-quality players who are all very intelligent, so I’m sure they are bright enough to assimilate any plans or tactics the manager has in mind and however he wants to set us up.”

And he would love to make his move to United permanent, even though Monaco value Falcao at £55m. “Yes, I hope to stay many years at Manchester United. 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.”