Why Manchester United's Lavish Spending on Falcao Isn't an Issue

Radamel Falcao is expected to make his Manchester United debut on Sunday against Queens Park Rangers. The Colombian will surely be at the center of attention due to the large sum of money United spent to acquire him, but it shouldn't be such a big issue.

When Falcao was with Porto and Atletico Madrid, he was considered one of the prolific goalscorers in the world. When the 28-year-old signed with newly promoted Monaco for €60 million with wages up to €14 million, according to Ian Holyman of ESPN FC, it came as a huge surprise.

The knee injury that ended Falcao's season and subsequently his World Cup hopes created some worries about his fitness. Suffering an ACL tear can be threatening to a player's career, as he may never be the same.

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Falcao was acquired on loan by United for a fee of £6 million and wages of £285,000 per week, with a £46 million buyout clause, as reported by Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail. This seems like a hefty amount to pay for a player who just recovered from a serious injury, but if the Red Devils so wish, they can buy the Colombian outright for £46 million.

However, when Falcao was presented to the media on Thursday, he quashed those worries about his knee:  "I feel well. I started to play two months ago with Monaco and I’ve improved a lot in the last month. I have scored goals [three in 217 minutes], which is important to strikers, and I’m confident with my physical form. I am comfortable with my knee."

In 2013/14, Falcao scored 11 goals in 18 appearances in all competitions for Monaco. That's a respectable return for any striker. He wasn't a flop, nor was he any less lethal than in seasons past. However, the knee injury put a damper on the rest of the campaign.

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According to ESPN FC, Falcao has scored 153 goals in 197 appearances since he arrived in Europe in 2009. Surely the forward can replicate those kinds of performances in England. 

Assuming Falcao ends up guiding United into a Champions League spot, the extra revenue that the club would generate will be enough to recoup what they spent on their deadline day acquisition. With those extra funds, United could permanently buy Falcao from Monaco for around the same price the principality paid to get the Colombian back last summer.

Falcao is arguably the best center-forward in the world when he's fit. Spending £280,000 per week on a world-class star like him isn't anything out of the ordinary.

If Wayne Rooney makes somewhere around £300,000 a week, then Man United are justified to pay slightly less for Rooney's new teammate.

Falcao was a must-buy in order to replace Javier Hernandez and Danny Welbeck, plus the usually injured Robin van Persie. He also gives manager Louis van Gaal a reliable, proven goalscorer. If a player like him is available and wants to join the club, he has to be signed.

If the Premier League's newest star can catapult United into the top four, then the money spent to bring Falcao to Old Trafford will no longer be a problem.