MANCHESTER UNITED were closing in on a deal to sign Monaco striker Radamel Falcao on loan last night.

The Colombia striker will cost United between £5million and £6million and the club have confirmed they will pay his wages, however, they insist reports they will pay the striker almost £350,000 a week are wide of the mark.

Falcao’s arrival hastened the exit of England international Danny Welbeck, who will join Arsenal after a £16million deal was agreed in principle.

United have stuttered into the season under new manager Louis van Gaal with just two points from three Premier League matches and scored only two goals, without even taking into account their embarrassing Capital One Cup exit to League One MK Dons.

The Dutchman desperately needs something to kick-start their campaign and Falcao, who arrived in Manchester early on Monday evening for his medical, could be it.

However, their back line needs just as much attention, if not more, after the loss of key personnel this summer so the arrival of Ajax defender Danny Blind for £13.8million, confirmed by the Dutch club just over three hours before the deadline, was another welcome addition.

“Louis van Gaal is a tremendously talented coach, I have worked with him at Ajax and also for the Netherlands national team and I cannot wait to work with him at the biggest club in the world,” the Holland international told manutd.com.

United’s rebuilding has already seen them acquire midfielder Ander Herrera, defenders Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo and Britishrecord signing Angel di Maria.