[Kounan]

He got into chances, so I am happy with that, but he has to score, he missed to much against Tottenham and again today, but we at least didn't loose any points because of that.

Again, there is no striker who would work well in this set up, unless it's Ronaldo (the Brasilian one) and does everything alone.

 

[Roboc7]

My crystal ball isn't working. I'm not clever enough to predict how players are going to do, been proven wrong too many times. i must admit, I like the glamour signings and I'll always be optimistic that they work out. Unfortunately they rarely do as the money paid for them rarely amounts to the returns. Still would never stop me from signing them cause they bring something to football which other players don't. The rest to debate, I'll leave to others.

I want to see superstars to but when they are at their peak not when they are on the way down, give me the falcao at atletico or Porto and I would be delighted but this isn't the same player and if he can't prove that isn't true before the end of the season it makes no sense to sign him.

 

[Someone]

He's working hard and getting into excellent positions, i like that a lot. I think he just needs time to get his final touch back. I have a feeling he'll come good in time, specially if we started creating more chances.

 

[Litch]

I want to see superstars to but when they are at their peak not when they are on the way down, give me the falcao at atletico or Porto and I would be delighted but this isn't the same player and if he can't prove that isn't true before the end of the season it makes no sense to sign him.

I kind of agree with you but the pool of players of that caliber, we are not fishing in. There are others that have that option and unfortunately they are all going to the usual suspects. Most of the big signings over here are rejects from other teams in Spain.

 

[Roboc7]

I kind of agree with you but the pool of players of that caliber, we are not fishing in. There are others that have that option and unfortunately they are all going to the usual suspects. Most of the big signings over here are rejects from other teams in Spain.

I wouldn't call them all rejects but if they are falcao is no different, difference is he is a reject whose best days are in the past, the other rejects are playing their best football or it is still to come. I don't agree with buying someone because he used to be world class and other world class players aren't available, go and buy the next world class player.

It might be short term to dismiss falcao but short term is all he has, same with RVP. We need to rebuild a team here and adding falcao makes no sense, I hope he scores some goals to help us get top four, win the FA cup and then earns himself a move somewhere else.

 

[Pexbo]

It's purely a confidence thing right now. On another day he would have buried a hat-trick.

Good volley saved by Green.
Good header saved by Green.
Tap in deflected away from him 4 yards before it reaches him.

That's 3 great opportunities he created for himself by intelligent movement and his finishing wasn't quite there.

Now his pace coming back after this injury, I'd worry about. His acceleration over 5 yards to create space would worry me. His strength holding up the ball putting pressure on his knee. His stamina.

But if he's getting into positions and creating chances for himself like those then you don't have to worry about those things, it's his finishing that isn't quite on point right now and that's not something I would expect anyone to lose because of an injury.

He's just got zero confidence in himself right now and if he can just do something to get that back I think he can be a goal machine again. Instead of thinking too much as the ball is coming at him he'll have a confident positive mind and start striking it right again.

 

[ItsEssexRob]

Leaving out penalties.

Falcao at Atletico (2011-13) - 97 hours, 39 goals and 5 assists

Costa at Atletico and Chelsea (2013-15) - 76 hours, 37 goals and 6 assists

At what stage are people going to realise Costa is better now than Falcao was at Atletico (the era he was at his best)?

Even Soldado had a better finishing rate during the two seasons Falcao played in La Liga, so it's absolutely possible Falcao can fall off as well with confidence issues.

I think everyone now believes that Costa is currently better than Falcao at his peak. Thats not exactly a slur, Costa is world class and at his peak(possibly).

 

[Lawman]

I think everyone now believes that Costa is currently better than Falcao at his peak. Thats not exactly a slur, Costa is world class and at his peak(possibly).

Not everyone as I don't think he is. Yes he is better right now but Falcao at his peak imo was better!

 

[Litch]

I wouldn't call them all rejects but if they are falcao is no different, difference is he is a reject whose best days are in the past, the other rejects are playing their best football or it is still to come. I don't agree with buying someone because he used to be world class and other world class players aren't available, go and buy the next world class player.

It might be short term to dismiss falcao but short term is all he has, same with RVP. We need to rebuild a team here and adding falcao makes no sense, I hope he scores some goals to help us get top four, win the FA cup and then earns himself a move somewhere else.

Rejects as they were surplus to requirements. Might be me but im not sure what did they expect from a player who was returning from a long term injury? If he was a utd player returning from that kind of injury, what would we expect at this stage of the season and with the amount of football he's placed so far?

 

[ItsEssexRob]

Not everyone as I don't think he is. Yes he is better right now but Falcao at his peak imo was better!

Ok well most. Stats wise Costa comes out on top, but I personally used to love Falcaos style.

 

[Roboc7]

Rejects as they were surplus to requirements. Might be me but im not sure what did they expect from a player who was returning from a long term injury? If he was a utd player returning from that kind of injury, what would we expect at this stage of the season and with the amount of football he's placed so far?

I'd be concerned the injury has taken it's toll and they look a shadow of the player they used to be no matter who it was. It's been long enough since the injury now to start to evaluate how much it has affected him, was a gamble worth taking for a year and a 6m loan fee, not worth a much bigger gamble in the summer though.

 

[RedFish]

So should we just keep over paying for over rated players just because we did it already. He is under performing, wages are extortionate and he is in the latter stages of his career. Mata was a waste of money, we overpaid for shaw and di Maria but they have more time on their side and a sell on value. Falcao either produces instantly or there is no point signing him because in a year or two he is going to be getting worse not better.

There is a point signing him if, and it is a BIG if, he manages to show he is still a world class striker in the remainder of the season. I'd also argue that at 28, there are some years in him yet. RVP was signed for 22.5 million at the age of 30 and although he is in decline, it was largely due to his form that we won the title, the season before last. Don't think many would argue that he was a bad signing.

However, Van Gaal is right. He needs to prove himself. He's a wild card loan signing. Can he prove his fitness? Can he prove he is the world class striker he was before his injury. Can he prove he can adapt to the Premier League? If the answer is yes to all, then 30M may not be too excessive. At 40 million, personally I'd look elsewhere.

I do feel for him (as much as you can feel for someone earning circa 300K/week) as

1) He's not a tosser
2) He's working his ass off, for the team
3) We aren't exactly creating a shed load of goal scoring chances. 3-5-2 !!!!!!
4) I think he needs an extended run in the side, to get his mojo back... He hasn't had that.

Crucially, I find it difficult to see how he will succeed here, given that the team just isn't playing well and for that reason, I'd wager he'll be shipped out.

 

[Litch]

I'd be concerned the injury has taken it's toll and they look a shadow of the player they used to be no matter who it was. It's been long enough since the injury now to start to evaluate how much it has affected him, was a gamble worth taking for a year and a 6m loan fee, not worth a much bigger gamble in the summer though.

Again, I agree with some of your points. The thing is I'm not convinced there's the alternatives out there. That shouldn't be the reason to sign him but I think we also have problem with RVP. I seen the QPR game again and should have scored that header for certain but that aside, he looked really sharp....that aside we were terrible

 

[DWelbz19]

Ok well most. Stats wise Costa comes out on top, but I personally used to love Falcaos style.

We can swap if you want

 

[Roboc7]

There is a point signing him if, and it is a BIG if, he manages to show he is still a world class striker in the remainder of the season. I'd also argue that at 28, there are some years in him yet. RVP was signed for 22.5 million at the age of 30 and although he is in decline, it was largely due to his form that we won the title, the season before last. Don't think many would argue that he was a bad signing.

However, Van Gaal is right. He needs to prove himself. He's a wild card loan signing. Can he prove his fitness? Can he prove he is the world class striker he was before his injury. Can he prove he can adapt to the Premier League? If the answer is yes to all, then 30M may not be too excessive. At 40 million, personally I'd look elsewhere.

I do feel for him (as much as you can feel for someone earning circa 300K/week) as

1) He's not a tosser
2) He's working his ass off, for the team
3) We aren't exactly creating a shed load of goal scoring chances. 3-5-2 !!!!!!
4) I think he needs an extended run in the side, to get his mojo back... He hasn't had that.

Crucially, I find it difficult to see how he will succeed here, given that the team just isn't playing well and for that reason, I'd wager he'll be shipped out.

Falcao doesn't have a season like RVP's first one in him anymore, those days are over. He will be 29 in the summer just like RVP was but he won't be coming off the back of a brilliant season, he's lost a yard of pace and will need to adapt his game. Signing him would be blind optimism unless he pulls something exceptional out of the bag, I agree there are better options out there for the money involved. He is running out of games, he will start maybe 15 or so games at best between now and the end of the season and don't see how that's enough to prove he is worth the money involved.

 

[Roboc7]

Again, I agree with some of your points. The thing is I'm not convinced there's the alternatives out there. That shouldn't be the reason to sign him but I think we also have problem with RVP. I seen the QPR game again and should have scored that header for certain but that aside, he looked really sharp....that aside we were terrible

RVP is on the way down as well so we have to go for a younger option like dybala or lacazette rather than add another player in decline that doesn't solve anything.

 

[Mali_Zeus]

Are you moaning about people moaning...?

And am I now moaning about people moaning about people moaning about people moaning...?

This is the madness that Van Gaal is causing atm!

 

[ivaldo]

He's getting unfair criticism here, Green played very well. There wasn't a lot wrong with the header really, the cross from Wilson was nudged away from him, it happens. Has anyone looked at the movement for his header chance, time perfectly. Give him time and he'll score for fun.

 

[ScarleyUtd]

Ok, it's only the highlights but he looked hungry, quick and unlucky not to score on MOTD. 40 odd million is a tough one for sure, but I've got a feeling if we let him go we'll regret it big time. If we can get the fee down we shouldn't hesitate to keep him.

 

[ScarleyUtd]

He's getting unfair criticism here, Green played very well. There wasn't a lot wrong with the header really, the cross from Wilson was nudged away from him, it happens. Has anyone looked at the movement for his header chance, time perfectly. Give him time and he'll score for fun.

Agreed.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Atleast he hit the target with all chances too. Wasn't like he completely spooned them or put them miles wide. Sometimes as a striker you get days where nothing you do will go in, on other days you just can't miss.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

In real time, that miss from Wilson's cross looked like a howler, but upon replay, the defender got a vital touch on it. Can't blame him for that.

That chance in the first half, a confident Falcao might have smashed that first time. His touch was still good, but it gave Green, and the defence, a chance.

Still fairly content with his contribution so far. Our chance creation and overall penetration is more of a concern to me than Falcao's lack of goals.

 

[Acole9]

He worked hard today but should've scored at least one of those chances.

 

[mu77]

He worked hard today but should've scored at least one of those chances.

the header was a great opportunity so was the take down he had. he did the hard part of taking it down controlling it and hit the shot well just at the keeper.
at least he got some service today but he should have scored. rather united go for a younger player

 

[RedFish]

In real time, that miss from Wilson's cross looked like a howler, but upon replay, the defender got a vital touch on it. Can't blame him for that.

That chance in the first half, a confident Falcao might have smashed that first time. His touch was still good, but it gave Green, and the defence, a chance.

Still fairly content with his contribution so far. Our chance creation and overall penetration is more of a concern to me than Falcao's lack of goals.[/QUOTE]

That's why it's even more important for a striker to be able to take his chances when they come. That's why we pay the big bucks.

I do agree though, we aren't creating enough opportunities to score.

 

[Shane88]

Daily Mail aren't giving him an inch. They have 3 articles up right now where the headlines criticises him and labels him a flop.

Twats.

 

[ZDwyr]

He'' need to go on a pretty crazy scoring run to justify his price tag. I mean, even if he starts performing well over the next few weeks I am not sure that will be enough.

 

[Rednotdead]

He's getting unfair criticism here, Green played very well. There wasn't a lot wrong with the header really, the cross from Wilson was nudged away from him, it happens. Has anyone looked at the movement for his header chance, time perfectly. Give him time and he'll score for fun.

Newsflash - you don't pay £40m odd for a striker who may or may not score goals sometime or never. It's up to him to score the goals now to justify a permanent deal, no one can do it for him. He had chances to do so but failed and no amount of excuses will hide that. So Green played well? He's supposed to play well but a top class striker is still supposed to take a fair percentage of the chances that come his way regardless of how well the goalkeeper plays.

 

[Danny1982]

I thought he played well against QPR, was just unlucky with his finishing. Van Persie and Rooney also went through spells like this, eventually I think his class will start showing (in term of scoring goals as well).

 

[Varun]

The header was a top save, can't blame Falcao for it but he should have buried the 1st chance that Mata created. Excellent 1st touch too, just hit it straight at the keeper.

 

[surf]

He shows the instincts of a top striker by getting in the right positions. Shame about the execution part. He just doesn't seem physical and sharp enough.

 

[Pexbo]

He'' need to go on a pretty crazy scoring run to justify his price tag. I mean, even if he starts performing well over the next few weeks I am not sure that will be enough.

His price tag is £6m so far which is fairly easy to justify, I think 10 goals would do that. To justify whatever we spend on him in the summer he will have to score 20+ goals next year and the year after.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

His price tag is £6m so far which is fairly easy to justify, I think 10 goals would do that. To justify whatever we spend on him in the summer he will have to score 20+ goals next year and the year after.

Nah he's currently auditioning for a permanent move. Only justifying a 6 million price tag will have him dumped in the summer.

 

[ZDwyr]

Nah he's currently auditioning for a permanent move. Only justifying a 6 million price tag will have him dumped in the summer.

I agree. That is what I meant in my original post.

 

[montpelier]

I thought he worked hard and linked well. Goals will come based on that performance.

 

[ivaldo]

Newsflash - you don't pay £40m odd for a striker who may or may not score goals sometime or never. It's up to him to score the goals now to justify a permanent deal, no one can do it for him. He had chances to do so but failed and no amount of excuses will hide that. So Green played well? He's supposed to play well but a top class striker is still supposed to take a fair percentage of the chances that come his way regardless of how well the goalkeeper plays.

Honestly, you go on like these were glaring misses, the only one he could've really done better with was the first one. He basically made the headed chance by himself with movement and vision you wouldn't find many strikers capable of and the 3rd wasn't a chance, the defender deflected the ball away from him. Strikers don't take every chance, most strikers at this club have had far better service than Falcao has had.

 

[luckyspurs]

His price tag is £6m so far which is fairly easy to justify, I think 10 goals would do that. To justify whatever we spend on him in the summer he will have to score 20+ goals next year and the year after.

If you take out his loan fee and add it to his wages, he's costing over £350,000 a week.

Falcao's had £5m (not including the loan fee) in wages so far and had 6 goals and assists.
Soldado's had £6m in wages so far and had 23 goals and assists (rubbish in front of goal; working hard and creating chances).

If you sign him long term, given his agent has United's best player with 18 months left on his contract, it could cost you £100m over 4 years.

Compared to the £40m Soldado would cost Spurs or £50m Bony would cost City or £60m Costa would cost Chelsea or £65m Sanchez would cost Arsenal, that's a ridiculous price for somebody not making the clear cut difference between 3rd places and titles.

 

[Lawman]

There is a point signing him if, and it is a BIG if, he manages to show he is still a world class striker in the remainder of the season. I'd also argue that at 28, there are some years in him yet. RVP was signed for 22.5 million at the age of 30 and although he is in decline, it was largely due to his form that we won the title, the season before last. Don't think many would argue that he was a bad signing.

However, Van Gaal is right. He needs to prove himself. He's a wild card loan signing. Can he prove his fitness? Can he prove he is the world class striker he was before his injury. Can he prove he can adapt to the Premier League? If the answer is yes to all, then 30M may not be too excessive. At 40 million, personally I'd look elsewhere.

I do feel for him (as much as you can feel for someone earning circa 300K/week) as

1) He's not a tosser
2) He's working his ass off, for the team
3) We aren't exactly creating a shed load of goal scoring chances. 3-5-2 !!!!!!
4) I think he needs an extended run in the side, to get his mojo back... He hasn't had that.

Crucially, I find it difficult to see how he will succeed here, given that the team just isn't playing well and for that reason, I'd wager he'll be shipped out.

Excellent post

 

[vidic blood & sand]

Falcao won't be here next season, that's a no brainer. However, Monaco will struggle to get 40M + for him. A 29 year old who's struggling to score.
Personally I feel for Falcao because united are just not set up to provide him with the service he needs. It leaves him having to fight for every half chance comes his way.

 

[Rednotdead]

Honestly, you go on like these were glaring misses, the only one he could've really done better with was the first one. He basically made the headed chance by himself with movement and vision you wouldn't find many strikers capable of and the 3rd wasn't a chance, the defender deflected the ball away from him. Strikers don't take every chance, most strikers at this club have had far better service than Falcao has had.

For a £40m plus, top class, international striker - yes, they were glaring misses.