Former Manchester United manager Tommy Docherty has offered a withering assessment of Radamel Falcao’s troubles with his fitness, claiming the striker is so prone to injury that he would break down on A Question of Sport.
Falcao has made only three starts from Manchester United since his exorbitant loan move from Monaco in the summer transfer window, last making a substitute appearance in the draw with West Brom on October 20.
The 28-year-old will be unavailable for both of Colombia’s friendly encounters over this international break as he continues his rehabilitation from a long-standing knee complaint, while Louis van Gaal has indicated that Falcao could return to face Arsenal.
Falcao’s is just one of a spate of injuries that have served as a great frustration for Van Gaal as he strives to find some consistency with his Manchester United side, but Docherty does not believe this is the only reason for such a slow start.
Docherty, who presided over 228 games as the club’s manager, claims Van Gaal has attempted too much too soon, while feels the Dutchman is not being adequately supported by his high-profile acquisitions - Falcao included.
“Injuries have not been kind to him, but I fear that Van Gaal will run out of money before he runs out of players if he is preparing another buying spree in January,” Docherty told Goal.com
“He has made too many changes, too quickly. Of course he has had more than his fair share of injuries to the squad, but the big money additions should be the finished article, and that is not what we are seeing.
“Angel Di Maria should be the best player in the Premier League, but he’s only impressed in glimpses, and as for Falcao, well he’d get injured on Question of Sport.”
KNEE TROUBLE
Falcao is struggling to fully overcome issues related to the cruciate ligament damage he suffered playing for Monaco in January - an injury that resulted in him missing out on Colombia’s World Cup squad.
After making his return to full training during pre-season, Falcao made only four competitive appearances before Manchester United move to recruit him on a loan deal, which could become a permanent £43 million transfer.
But his knee troubles may prevent this from happening. It has been claimed that the player requires an ice pack on his knee after every training session and match as a precaution against any further problems.
He has, however, responded to such speculation, tweeting on Monday about “fools” inventing stories about him.
