<text>  Radamel Falcaos miserable career at Manchester United reached a new low on Tuesday night when he was dumped in the reserves by manager Louis van Gaal. Falcao has not played a minute of football for Uniteds first team since being dragged off midway through the home victory over Sunderland last month and was left on the bench as Van Gaals stuttering team were knocked out of the FA Cup by Arsenal at home on Monday night. Now the 250,000-a-week loan signing from Monaco has suffered the indignity of being made to play in the Under 21 team in their game against Tottenham on Tuesday night. Radamel Falcao losing his footing as he tries to escape the attentions of Bongani Khumalo left Falcao reacts as a chance goes by left while Rafael right, centre is congratulated on his goal . Falcaos spectacular fall from favour is starkly shown by the U21 badge on the arm of his United shirt . Van Gaals decision to select the 29-year-old in the Under 21s is indicative of the United managers ongoing concerns over the Colombian internationals fitness levels. However, the United boss usually asks senior players to play at this level only if they are on their way back from injury. Falcao has been injury free since recovering from a thigh injury at the end of November and is unlikely to be pleased at being asked to drop down a level at a time when he is desperately trying to prove he is worth a permanent deal. United officials say Falcao, one of the most feared strikers in world football before he suffered a cruciate ligament injury last January, was chosen to ensure he would be sharp for the first-teams clash with Spurs at the same venue on Sunday afternoon. Falcao heads the ball towards goal but his drought goes on after another unsuccessful outing . Sportsmail reported earlier this year that Falcao feels he has to work twice as hard to impress his manager as some other players and has been less than thrilled at times to hear his manager question his fitness levels. But on this evidence he will do well to win a recall from Louis van Gaal after an anonymous performance. In a poor first half Falcao dallied too long on two opportunities and his only other action of note came when he deflected fellow striker James Wilsons goal-bound effort wide from an offside position. United coaches left-right Paul McGuinness U18s, Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Tony Strudwick fitness watch on . Falcao looks to get in between the Tottenham defence at Old Trafford as United are held by Spurs . Falcao has another effort on goal but is again frustrated as United searched for the winner . Expertly marshalled by Spurs centre-half pairing of 17-year-old Cameron Carter-Vickers and South African Bongani Khumalo, 28, the Monaco man cut a desperately frustrated figure. In the second half he was at it again when he diverted Sean Gosss shot into the arms of Spurs keeper Luke McGee before his disappointing evening came to a merciful end. In contrast Brazilian right back Rafael, fighting for his future at United, was a standout. He calmly intercepted McGees throw out before chipping him with his left foot from 30 yards on 33 minutes to cancel out lively Spurs midfielder Kenny McEvoys opener. Having only scored four times during his six months at United, the chances of Falcao being retained in the summer are almost nil. United have not seen enough to suggest he will prove value for money in the long run while Falcao feels he has not always been given a fair crack of the whip by Van Gaal. After Mondays cup exit against Arsenal, Van Gaal reacted with irritation when asked about the decision to sign Falcao and release Danny Welbeck last August. Welbeck returned to Old Trafford to score the winner in Arsenals 2-1 win. Last night Welbeck said: Manchester United is a club that means so much to me. Im a fan and its hard to knock them out. Ill always respect the fans. I had a lovely reception from them and Im thankful for that. The Colombian looks bemused as he is substituted before shaking hands with coach Warren Joyce . 