Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher has expressed his belief that Radamel Falcao will not sign a permanent deal with Manchester United once his loan deal expires.
The Colombian striker is currently with the Premier League outfit on a season-long loan, although it has been reported that a buy-out clause is included in the contract, estimated in the region of £40 million.
With 15 appearances for the Red Devils to date, five of those from the bench, the striker has somewhat underachieved at the Theatre of Dreams, netting just four goals under the guidance of Louis van Gaal.
28-year-old Falcao was highlighted for his mediocre performance at Upton Park on Sunday, requiring Daley Blind’s 90th minute equaliser to salvage a point. Misplacing a glorious chance in the second half when clean through on goal, the former Atletico Madrid target man has just one goal to his name in his last five appearances.
With 15 appearances for the Red Devils to date, five of those from the bench, the striker has somewhat underachieved at the Theatre of Dreams, netting just four goals under the guidance of Louis van Gaal.
Despite a further three assists, the last coming against Aston Villa on 20th December, Carragher feels his lack of goals alongside Robin van Persie allowed West Ham to adopt a defensive playing style after securing a shock opener.
Having made 737 appearances for Liverpool, Carragher commented on the 54-time internationally capped forward’s strike rate after six months in England.
“I think Louis van Gaal has got a problem with his strike force,” he said. “I don’t see Falcao staying at the end of the season and it’s something Manchester United will have to address in the striking department.
"Van Persie and Falcao were just jogging up field, ambling up and they didn’t cause a make-shift West Ham back four enough problems. United have got big problems at that end of the pitch. There is not enough movement from the front two, there’s no sprint, spark or energy.
“West Ham showed pace and energy through Sakho and Valencia in the first half to get in behind the United defence. But Falcao and Van Persie failed to exploit the same spaces.”
West Ham showed pace and energy through Sakho and Valencia in the first half to get in behind the United defence. But Falcao and Van Persie failed to exploit the same spaces.
Carragher was somewhat critical of the United front line, despite having scored more than both Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur, their closest league rivals. Only Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have scored more this season – the latter aided by their recent 5-0 demolition of strugglers Aston Villa. He continued:
“They were just jogging up field, especially Van Persie, ambling up and they didn’t cause a make-shift West Ham back four enough problems.
“When United were in the wide areas, Falcao was ball-watching and that made him easy to mark. He should have been running down the channels. There is not enough movement from the front two, there’s no sprint, spark or energy and that was in complete contrast to West Ham.”
Regardless of his harsh tone, many supporters generally agreed with the idea of Carragher, with many fans declaring their disappointment in ‘El Tigre’s’ influence on the pitch for the Reds since joining in the summer.
Falcao will now only have a few months to prove his worth to Dutchman Van Gaal should he be handed the opportunity to sign a permanent deal, having become out-of-favour with Ligue One side AS Monaco following his return from an extensive injury.
Radamel Falcao last scored in a 3-1 league victory over Leicester City on 31st January.
