One of the take home points from Wednesday evening’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle United was just how Radamel Falcao, one of the more heralded strikers in world football, was left on the bench with Manchester United in desperate search for a winning goal to keep Champions League hopes alive.
How times change – less than two years ago Falcao was Atletico Madrid’s leading goalscorer with 32 goals and all signs pointed towards a major move to one of Europe’s giants.
But since then Falcao’s career has endured a string of false starts and disappointments.
Be it due to the fact the current Man United side are not geared to play to Falcao’s strengths or perhaps Falcao’s recovery from his ACL injury hasn’t been anywhere near as successful as necessary, the current campaign has simply not gone the Colombian’s way with Falcao netting four goals in all competitions, just one more than central defender Chris Smalling.
It has been difficult to watch a once great champion of centre-forward play struggling in such a manner. Falcao’s days at both Porto and Atletico Madrid and to a lesser degree at Monaco are remembered for his blistering record in front of goal.
Almost anything Falcao would hit in and around the penalty area would end up resulting in a goal. However it was not just his goalscoring, his sheer physical presence would allow him to bully many defenders, something which would have seen him excel in England prior to his injury.
Falcao’s struggles this year have not been through a lack of trying nor all his own fault. There are obvious worries about the Colombian’s willingness to use his body as he has done in years gone by, however such apprehension is understandable following such a severe and easily repeated knee injury.
Louis van Gaal’s tactical choices have not helped him either. Playing in a pair with Robin van Persie has been difficult with the two players often looking to play the same way. Neither player looks to run the channels and really force an opposing defence to work hard physically thus leaving everything rather congested through the middle.
The relationship between Falcao and Manchester United’s supporters has in truth been excellent with fans knowing just how good a player Falcao has been. There has been an element of determination from the crowd to help push him over the line.
At 29-years-old Falcao does not represent value for money at £43.5m and it is unlikely United will sanction a permanent deal.
With Van Gaal having already said he is targeting a world-class midfielder and that Wayne Rooney would be a centre-forward when such a signing occurs then there isn’t a need for two players as similar as Van Persie and Falcao.
There is a greater need for a striker in his early to mid 20s to work as a buffer between the experience of Rooney and the vast inexperience but raw talent of James Wilson. Names like Alexandre Lacazette and Paulo Dybala immediately spring to mind.
Falcao will probably be remembered as a gamble that was worth taking but ultimately didn’t pay off. Neither party has really lost out with Falcao likely to find a move to another top club next season and United having more than enough finance to restructure their forward line.
These things happen in football and with only 10 matches left this season it is likely that both Manchester United and Falcao are preparing to part ways.
