Radamel Falcao’s future in doubt at Manchester United

Colombian striker Radamel Falcao’s future at Manchester United is in doubt after scoring just four goals in 20 appearances during his loan spell at Old Trafford

There are major doubts about the Manchester United future of on-loan Monaco striker Radamel Falcao.

The 29-year-old played 72 minutes for United’s under-21 team last night in a bid to improve his fitness and form.

However, the striker failed to find the net in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham and did not complete the match.

Expensive

Falcao cost United a loan fee of around £6million last summer, with the option of United paying a further £43.5million to make the deal a permanent one this summer.

The Colombian is also one of the highest earners at the club, so it is not just the transfer fee that has been expensive for the Red Devils.

Even a club the size of United cannot afford to have a player on such high wages playing under-21 football and not contributing to the first team squad.

Out-of-favour

Falcao seems to have fallen out-of-favour with United boss Louis van Gaal. The Colombian remained on the bench during United’s 2-1 FA Cup quarter-final defeat against Arsenal on Monday, despite the fact that the Red Devils were in desperate need of a goal.

For Falcao to be an unused substitute in those circumstances proves that there is definitely something not right with the striker.

Prolific

Prior to his arrival at Old Trafford, Falcao was considered one of the most prolific out-and-out strikers in the European game. He had been prolific in Portugal, Spain and most recently in France with Monaco.

He was one of the most dangerous central strikers in world football, a striker which most teams in world football would be happy to have. It was something of a coup for United to sign Falcao last summer and the majority of their fans were pleased to have signed the Colombian international.

However, this season Falcao has scored a measly four goals in 20 appearances for the Red Devils and struggled to make a mark in the English game.

One of the major factors may be the injury that Falcao sustained last season when playing for Monaco. That knee sustained in January 2014 kept the striker out of action for six months and meant he missed the World Cup with Colombia.

Falcao made his return to action in the Emirates Cup in July, but he has not seemed the same player he was prior to the injury. Maybe the injury is still at the back of the strikers mind, or maybe it has left a lasting physical effect. Something is hampering the strikers form that is for sure.

Dream

The dream forward line of Radamel Falcao, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie has not quite functioned in the way that most United fans would have hoped for.

Van Persie and Falcao are too similar to play together and neither has hit top form season playing in the partnership, while captain Rooney has often been deployed out-of-position in central midfield in a bid to aide creativity and balance in midfield.

Doubts

When Falcao joined United on loan it seemed that is was a formality that he would complete a permanently move at the end of his loan spell. However, I doubt there are many United supporters that would advocate their club paying £43.5million for the striker after the way he has played this season.

Future

Radamel Falcao’s future seems uncertain at the moment. It looks like Falcao may be heading back to the principality of Monaco, instead of remaining on Manchester next season.

However, there will no doubt be a number of clubs lined-up waiting to sign the striker, even if his value may have dropped considerably since last summer.

In the meantime the Colombian striker has to try and get his head down and attempt to help United claim a top four spot this season, which they are currently odds of 5/6 to do.

If Manchester United are successful in clinching a Champions League spot, I rather believe it will be in spite of Radamel Falcao and not because of him, which speaks volumes about his time in Manchester so far.

Falcao has not become a terrible player over night, but maybe the knee injury has reduced his powers and at the moment he is definitely not worth the summer asking price.

Should Manchester United sign Radamel Falcao in the summer?