What Can Manchester United Realistically Expect from Radamel Falcao This Season?

Radamel Falcao has now played for Manchester United twice, and he has shown glimpses of what can realistically be expected of him. The short answer is, of course, goals.

Although United's calamitous second-half performance against Leicester City showed that there is plenty of work left to be done, United's attack was impressive. Falcao contributed a fine assist for Robin van Persie and hit the bar himself with a stunning volley.

In his debut against Queens Park Rangers, Falcao looked a little off the pace, understandable given all that had happened in the prior few weeks. He slightly snatched at his one good chance, leading to a relatively comfortable save for Rob Green.

Jon Super/Associated Press

However, without wishing to apply excessive pressure to United's new star centre-forward, it is unlikely to be too long before the goals begin to come. And when they do, they are likely to be plentiful.

Since Falcao arrived in Europe at the beginning of the 2009/10 season, he has scored freely. In his first season at FC Porto, he scored 25 league goals in 26 appearances. The next season, it was 16 in 22, with a further 17 in 14 appearances during Porto's victorious Europa League campaign.

In 2011/12, he moved to Atletico Madrid, with Falcao scoring 12 in 13 Europa League appearances and 24 in 33 league games. In 2012/13, it was 28 in 34 league games in a season in which Falcao was part of the conversation alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi as one of the game's greats.

Sid Lowe of The Guardian discussed the level at which Falcao was playing in a column in December 2012. 

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

His move to Monaco saw him start well and then get hit by the knee injury that forced him to miss out on the World Cup.

Without that injury, there would be almost no doubt that his scoring rate at United would continue the outstanding pattern El Tigre has established. 

Ignoring United's defensive collapse for a moment, it is worth pointing out that the attack has scored seven goals in the past two games. It is clear that plenty of chances are being created. United still have issues, but up front, Falcao is surrounded by talent that matches his level.

Angel Di Maria has hit the ground running and has added a new threat to United's front line, and in Ander Herrera, Juan Mata, Wayne Rooney and van Persie, there is every chance of building a platform upon which Falcao can shine.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

It would be entirely realistic to expect Falcao to achieve a ratio of better than a goal every other game. That is the level he has achieved since arriving in Europe.

There are perhaps two specific notes of caution that need to be sounded. The first is, of course, his recovery from injury—both its potential recurrence and the fact that it is still too soon to assess what the injury has cost him in terms of its impact on his performance.

The second is that to get the very best out of him, Louis van Gaal will have to deal with the issue of having three star strikers and a maximum of two positions to play them in if he wants them at their best.

Ricardo Mazalan/Associated Press

Against Leicester, Rooney was played behind the strikers, with Mata sacrificed, but, in truth, that is unlikely to be the way to get the very best out of Falcao, given Mata's expertise in the No. 10 role.

Regarding the injury, the initial impressions are positive in terms of lingering effects, but it is, of course, too early to say whether a recurrence is likely. Regarding the issue of personnel, it is likely that, whoever plays, Falcao will get chances.

It is entirely realistic to expect that he will take a good number of them and thus score a lot of goals. In spite of the issues that clearly remain, there is plenty to be optimistic about for the rest of United's season.

All goalscoring figures per ESPN FC.