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Louis van Gaal will meet Ed Woodward to finally determine Radamel Falcao’s future.

Manchester United insist they are still to make a definitive decision over the Colombian international, who is on a season-long loan from Monaco.

But it is highly unlikely they will pay the £43m required to sign him on a permanent basis.

Now Van Gaal is planning imminent talks with United executive vice chairman Woodward, with Falcao’s fate one of the main issues to be resolved.

United’s Dutch manager is expected to confirm that the 29-year-old does not figure in his long-term plans.

That has become clear in recent weeks with the former Porto and Atletico Madrid striker an increasingly peripheral figure.

His seven-minute cameo against Tottenham on Sunday was his first senior action since February.

He was also an unused substitute for the previous two games against Newcastle and Arsenal.

A transfer deadline day signing in September, he has endured a frustrating time at Old Trafford - scoring only four goals in 21 appearances.

Last week he was dropped to United’s under 21s - where he suffered the ignominy of being substituted after 72 minutes.

Van Gaal insisted he did not intend to humiliate Falcao by playing him in the reserves - but it only added to what has been a desperately disappointing campaign for the striker.

United’s Dutch manager claims the forward can still rediscover his finest form after suffering career-threatening knee ligament damage last year.

But it seems certain he will have to do that elsewhere, with Valencia and Juventus among those linked.

For now Van Gaal is refusing to publicly reveal his plans, but he has offered words of encouragement for Falcao.

“We mustn’t forget the severe injury he suffered last year and how it kept him out for such a long period and resulted in him not having a good pre-season, which is always the catalyst for the campaign ahead,” he said.

“I believe he just needs a little time to build his confidence and match sharpness, and it won’t be long until he is showing everybody the talent that we all know he has.”

United plan to spend £150m in the summer as Van Gaal attempts to lead the club back to the summit of English football.

Committing to a permanent deal for Falcao would use up a sizable chunk of that figure at a time when he needs to strengthen in all departments of his squad.

His list of targets will include a top class right back, centre back and central midfielder. If Falcao returns to Monaco then United will look to add at least one striker to an ageing forward line that already includes 31-year-old Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney, who will turns 30 this year.

Finalising those targets will also be on the agenda when Van Gaal meets with Woodward.