Monaco VP: Manchester United, Chelsea 'failed' Falcao

Radamel Falcao's struggles in England weren't his fault, according to AS Monaco's vice president.

Vadim Vasilyev blamed Manchester United and Chelsea for the way they handled Falcao during a pair of forgettable loan spells over the past two years. The Colombian scored just five league goals in 36 appearances for the Red Devils and Blues, and missed time with various muscular injuries.

Falcao began his English sojourn on the heels of a devastating ACL tear in early 2014, and Vasilyev believes he wasn't in the right environment to succeed.

"Both clubs in England failed to relaunch him," the Monaco exec told the Daily Mail. "I don't know whether Manchester United and Chelsea did not have the patience or the desire to do that, but I am quite sure this year we will see Falcao at his previous best."

There was mild optimism before the start of the 2016-17 campaign, as Falcao showed glimpses of his former goal-scoring self in summer exhibition matches. He also potted goals in both legs of Monaco's third-round Champions League tie against Fenerbahce - his first in nearly a year - but he missed the subsequent play-off with a thigh problem.

He's now fit to rejoin a Monaco side that's first in Ligue 1, after defeating perennial favourite Paris Saint-Germain and Lille over the past two matchdays.

The principality club is currently in London to face Tottenham in Wednesday's group match, and Falcao should get some minutes.

"He is the same Falcao as ever. We've seen that in preseason. He scores goals, he's there and he is motivated. We are motivated, and I think this will be his year," said Vasilyev.

"You have to be patient but the big clubs have other topics on their agenda. If you sign a player of this magnitude after a big injury it takes time and games to get him back in shape.

"This is what we will do and what Manchester United and Chelsea didn't do, failed to do, or didn't want to do."