Manchester United completed their summer of big spending by wrapping up a one-year loan deal for AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcao. News of the move broke early on Monday, but United fans had to wait patiently beyond the evening’s 11pm deadline until confirmation of the transfer was finally announced.
Upon his arrival, the Colombian immediately spoke of his excitement about the prospect of playing his football at Old Trafford over the course of this season:
“I am delighted to be joining Manchester United on loan this season. Manchester United is the biggest club in the world and is clearly determined to get back to the top. I am looking forward to working with Louis van Gaal and contributing to the team’s success at this very exciting period in the club’s history.”
United manager Louis Van Gaal, meanwhile, acknowledged how important Falcao’s goal scoring capability could prove for his side if they are to return to former glories:
“I am delighted Radamel has joined us on loan this season. He is one of the most prolific goalscorers in the game. His appearance-to-goal ratio speaks for itself and, when a player of this calibre becomes available, it is an opportunity not to be missed.”
The History
A product of the youth academy at Colombian second tier side Lanceros, Falcao was snapped up by River Plate of Argentina as a 15-year-old. Rising through the ranks, he made his first team debut in 2005 and, during the second half of his debut campaign, became a prominent member of the first-team, scoring seven goals in as many appearances.
Injuries curtailed the Colombian’s play for a number of seasons after that, until he rocketed on to the radars of a number of European clubs in 2008 after leading his side to the top of the Torneo Clausura. Falcao resisted a move away from Argentina until the summer of 2009, when Porto came calling, and his spell at the Portuguese club couldn’t have started much brighter. The front man scored a total of 34 goals in all competitions across 2009/10 and helped his side secure the Portuguese Cup with a decisive goal in the final.
In the following campaign, Falcao’s ascent to superstar status continued as his goals helped Porto win the Primeira Liga and Europa League and, after 72 goals and 18 assists in 82 appearances, he was subsequently sold to Atletico Madrid for a fee around €40million in the summer of 2011. Over his two seasons in Madrid, the forward netted 70 times in 90 appearances, which included five hat-tricks, and saw another Europa League title and Copa Del Rey added to his trophy cabinet.
However, Falcao was then sold to Ligue 1 side AS Monaco at the start of the 2013/14 season, where he tallied 13 goals in the first half of the campaign before a knee injury forced him on to the sidelines for the remainder of the season and this summer’s World Cup. Having returned to full fitness over the summer, he had already scored twice in three league appearances for Monaco this term before United acquired his services on deadline day.
On the international stage, Falcao made his senior international debut for Colombia in 2007, and has a total of 20 goals in 51 caps, including nine strikes in his side’s qualification for the 2014 World Cup, making him the top scoring player in Colombia’s qualifying campaign.
The Prospects
Concerns still remain over Falcao’s ability to last 90 minutes right now, but when the striker is fully fit Van Gaal faces a real struggle to find a place for Wayne Rooney, Robin Van Persie, Falcao, Di Angel Maria and Juan Mata in his starting XI – all the more so if he continues with his 3-4-1-2 formation. Van Persie has clearly recognised this and laid down a challenge to the new signing:
“I welcome his arrival, he makes us better. At a top club you should always go for the best, which also fits my philosophy. It is up to Falcao to fight for his place, as I have to as well. The two of us, plus Wayne Rooney and James Wilson, we must all fight it out to see who plays.”
The money splashed out on Di Maria would seem to assure his starting spot, whilst Van Gaal’s decision to name Wayne Rooney as club captain will give the Englishman’s 39% ownership optimism that his place is also secured. However, the common consensus right now is that Rooney will drop back to a deeper role to accommodate Falcao and Van Persie – who, it shouldn’t be forgotten, is a favourite of his former international manager – to form a dynamic duo up top. Could Mata, therefore, be the one to miss out? Or will Van Gaal figure out a way to fit all of his stars into one XI? Only time will tell.
Falcao’s ownership has already reached 3% in the FPL game and is set to rise considerably further as we reach next weekend’s deadline, but, with his role in Van Gaal’s side still unknown, the Colombian remains a gamble. Nonetheless, if he can replicate the spectacular form shown at both Porto and Atletico Madrid, the 11.0 priced forward could not only turn out to be a Fantasy sensation this season, but also prove the driving force behind United’s attempt to return to former glories.
With QPR visiting Manchester in eight days’ time, and encounters with Leicester and West Ham to follow, Falcao has been offered the ideal opportunity to introduce himself to the Old Trafford faithful and prove a ready-made differential for any managers willing to take the gamble from the off.
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