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Radamel Falcao: The Club vs. Country Debate
September 01, 2015
There is no doubt about it; Radamel Falcao has endured a miserable time since his move to Manchester United last summer. While the £250,000-a-week loan signing was expected to add much needed fire-power to United’s Champions League push, the Colombian forward has flattered to deceive and netted just four goals in 20 appearances for the club. Having scored three times for Colombia over the course of the international week, however, Falcao has claimed that he is raring to go and earn a start for the weekend’s league game with Aston Villa.
Club vs. Country: Can Falcao Finally Deliver for United?
Over the course of games with Bahrain and Kuwait, Falcao scored three goals and showcased the type of movement and thrust that has been sorely lacking in his time at Old Trafford. His performances for his country have polarised opinion, as while critics have questioned the quality of the opposition supporters have claimed that Falcao simply needs a consistent run of games if he is to showcase his true quality. It is hard to argue with either of these assertions, although the confidence of playing from the start and being backed by the manager certainly helped to boost the striker’s confidence.
The question that remains is whether or not Falcao should start or be given a run of games in the United side? Certainly now would be the ideal time if Van Gaal has persisted with the 3-4-1-2 or diamond systems he favoured at the start of the season, but his decision to play with a sole striker has coincided with the team’s most impressive performances of the season. Wayne Rooney is the man in possession, and his work-rate, pedigree and link-up play with Juan Mata and Ander Herrera means that he is almost certain to start.
Falcao may get a chance from the bench, however, and if he does he must be primed to take it.