Radamel Falcao's season in Manchester will go down as one of  United's less successful footballing ventures. The Colombian hitman struggled for form and never really get the chance to show the real him. But is it simply too easy to say Falcao suffered from bad form in a Red Devils shirt, or is there more to it?

When Radamel Falcao was officially unveiled as a Manchester United player in the twilight hours of last summer's transfer deadline day, United fans were left licking their lips in anticipation of an attacking unit that boasted the likes of Angel Di Maria, Juan Mata, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and now, their new Colombian striker.

Electric start from Di Maria that fizzled out

What transpired however, was after Di Maria's electric start to life in the Premier League - with three goals and six assists in his first 12 outings - the Argentine's form dwindled, through a combination of injury and his own form issues.

With Dutchman Robin van Persie also struggling with further niggling injuries, and with Falcao overcoming his match fitness concerns, surely the stage was set for the Colombian to light up the Theatre of Dreams and indeed, his fledgling United career?

Falcao's loan arrival from Monaco signalled a huge wave of fervoured excitement amongst the Red Devils' fanbase. But as other more cautious individuals suggested, was the South American frontman a luxury; one which Louis van Gaal and United did not need, with reference to other, more barren areas of the field.

Or was on the other hand, the recruitment of Radamel Falcao more a preventative measure, than of a move for a red-hot, clinical marksman - in Falcao's previous guise - against their Premier League rivals?

Since moving to the tax-haven principality in the south of France, from the cauldron of football in Spain's football-mad capital, Radamel Falcao's reputation as perhaps the most lethal out-and-out striker in world football, has taken somewhat of a dent. Falcao's goalscoring exploits on the Iberian peninsular were nothing short of phenomenal.

Phenomenal Falcao at Porto and Atleti

After moving to FC Porto from River Plate in 2009, the then 23 year-old scored burst onto the world scene scoring 41 times in 51 appearances.

The Colombian then moved to Atletico Madrid two years later and despite the move to a higher level, scored 52 in 68.

Over the two clubs and four years domestically, Falcao had failed to score in just 26 games, with an astonishing 78% scoring ratio.

At Monaco, after his multi-million pound move from Madrid, Falcao scored 11 times in 20 games. Still not shabby. Certainly no sign of a player in bad form.

Then of course came the injury.

During a French cup match against Chasselay in January 2014, was caught in a heavy tackle that would later be revealed to be an Anterior Cruciate Ligament damage.

Falcao missed the World Cup in Brazil to focus on his recovery for the start of the domestic campaign.

With James Rodriguez' move to Real Madrid, it was mooted Falcao's future could lie elsewhere from France. Then United came knocking.

Despite the frenzy that descended around Old Trafford, there was a lingering concern over the striker's fitness. Look at any player recovering from an ACL or serious leg break. The rehab time is indeterminate.

United boss Louis van Gaal was quick to state that Falcao was simply not match fit from the outset of the 2014/15 Premier League season. Nor would he be until a few weeks.

Falcao was given a run of games up front after the dipping form of van Persie, but the rustiness was clear. Van Gaal would only play the Colombian for just over an hour. But regards to the form argument, it was simply not allowing Falcao to get any going.

After January, Falcao dropped, hugely

Four goals in twenty-three appearances does not tell the whole story. After scoring on the last day of January, Falcao would not find the net again. His confidence was rock bottom.

The move to Old Trafford was always going to be a high-pressure one for the recovering striker, but with wages of plus 300k+ a week, it was intensified. Simply put, Falcao was put under too much spotlight for a player of his condition.

Particularly when considering that after injury, Falcao had lost a yard of pace that yes, a small element of his game, was nevertheless essential to his footballing make-up and that that made him the menace  he was to opposition defences.

Under Louis Van Gaal's new regime, the pressure was not just on Falcao but the Dutchman. United's struggles however where much of Van Gaal's own making.

What Radamel Falcao needed was the trust of his manager. He never had it. For Falcao to even have had a chance of not just re-assimilating back into football, but to make the transition to Premier League life, it was vital.

United could come to regret ridding of Falcao

With United opting not to take up a permanent deal for the forward, Radamel Falcao's options remain open. This includes a potential deal with Chelsea. Falcao would only be in a squad to make up the numbers behind Diego Costa, but as a second or third choice striker, the pressure would be significantly eased on the Colombian.

There is just the chance that Falcao may again play Premier League football. If United are in his crosshairs, Louis Van Gaal may want to look away.