Manchester United have been surrounded by more controversy once again. New speculations have arised since their 1-0 home defeat to Southampton about a rift within the team. Reports had suggested that the benched Columbian striker Radamel Falcao had rushed out of the stadium after the game, although the Dutch manager Louis van Gaal had dismissed any truth to these rumours.
The 28-year old Columbian hitman who is on loan at Manchester United till the end of this season has an option to make a permanent move for £43.5m to Old Trafford in the summer. Falcao has made thirteen appearances for the Red Devils and managed to hit the back of the net thrice. Falcao was left out of the game on Sunday and van Gaal called the decision a “tactical” one.
Former Old Trafford star Gordon Hill has suggested that the Dutchman should not entertain a permanent deal for Falcao, once the loan period expires. Falcao, who missed the 2014 World Cup due to a serious knee injury was finally starting to find his feet in England before the controversies began. If the latest reports from BBC are true, Falcao might leave at the end of the season as his agent Jorge Mendes predicts his future.
“He will play in one of the very best clubs in the world next season, whether that is Manchester United or not,”
Coming back to Gordon Hill’s statement, the former United star told in an exclusive interview with Extra Time, “If I was the manager I would let Falcao go [at the end of the season]. If he was fit, I would have no problem paying the money, but I’ve always worried about his fitness since he first came. He goes off in certain games. Sometimes he doesn’t look like he can play a 90 minute game.”
The former Atletico Madrid striker has had an injury nightmare in recent times and had missed a few games for United as well. Now, it will be United’s choice to keep the Columbian in England or let him go and look for a replacement instead. Manchester United, at the moment are at fourth place in the League table, two points behind Southampton, who climbed above them after Sunday’s victory.