Radamel Falcao has only an outside chance of being included in Manchester United’s squad against Arsenal on Saturday week as Louis van Gaal’s frustrations over the striker’s fitness and the club’s other injury woes continue.

Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Rafael Da Silva, the defenders, are also unlikely to return from the sidelines in time for the visit to the Emirates Stadium. Falcao has played only 18 minutes of football in the past four and a half weeks, with a calf injury adding to concerns about the ability of his body to withstand the physical rigours of playing regularly in the Barclays Premier League.

The Colombia striker ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in late January, but returned to action a little