The Radamel Falcao experiment at Manchester United is flailing.
The 29-year-old joined the club on loan from AS Monaco during the summer transfer window, but has failed to live up to his billing. In 16 league appearances, he's managed just four goals and four assists. The decision to sign him permanently for £43.5 million must now be considered and all indications say manager Louis van Gaal will choose not to come July.
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His January statements asking Falcao to prove himself further echo that sentiment.
"He has to prove himself, that we have agreed," said van Gaal (via the Guardian). "We have made this deal and everything is clear. It is not the end of the year, so he has the chance for that. If a player costs £95 million or £5,000, it's not any difference for me. You have to prove yourself. A player of £95 million has to prove himself also."
According to the Express, such a decision will open the door for Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez to return to Manchester United.
Hernandez himself is experiencing similar struggles at Real Madrid, failing to come off the bench for all of 190 league minutes. The writing is on the wall and the 26-year-old has no future under manager Carlo Ancelotti. Given his productivity in a United shirt, Hernandez would prove to be a cost-effective substitute should van Gaal be willing to accept it.
Note: Credit all statistics to officially licensed data from Opta Sports (via WhoScored).
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