United should never fork out £43.2m to sign Falcao

Three goals in five months in England is simply not enough to persuade Louis van Gaal to shell out to keep the Colombian, who looks to be well short of fitness and confidence


Radamel Falcao’s omission from Louis van Gaal’s squad for Manchester United's 1-0 defeat at home to Southampton raised questions over the forward’s long-term prospects at Old Trafford, but the Colombian’s contribution so far since arriving on loan from Monaco suggests the club have no decision to make when it comes to choosing whether to fork out £43.2 million to keep him permanently.

He may have arrived at United last September with a reputation as one of the world’s leading strikers, but Falcao has done little to justify that billing in the Premier League.

Much of that may be down to the cruciate ligament injury sustained by the 28-year-old while playing for Monaco last January, with Falcao still appearing short of match sharpness and fitness.

Theo Walcott continues to search for full fitness at Arsenal, a year after suffering an identical injury, yet Falcao returned to action in August, which now appears far too soon.

But aside from Falcao’s injury issues, perhaps his reputation has been over-inflated by a prolific return in the Portuguese and French leagues.

He has also shone in La Liga with Atlético Madrid, which adds to his credibility as a star forward, but does scoring a hatful of goals in Portugal and France count as much as being prolific in Italy, Germany or England?

As it stands, United would be foolish to commit so much of their summer transfer budget on a player who will be 29 next month.

The Falcao camp want the player to be signed up now, to end uncertainty over his future, but that in itself suggests a lack of firm interest from elsewhere.

Three goals in five months in England is simply not enough to persuade United or Van Gaal to sign Falcao permanently.

If they have £43.2m to spend on a striker, they will be able to find younger, quicker and better options than the man who could not even shift James Wilson from the bench against Southampton.


By Mark Ogden / Telegraph