Radamel Falcao Proves He's Getting Back to His Best with Display vs. Newcastle

OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER—Radamel Falcao might not have scored against Newcastle on Boxing Day.

But there was enough in his performance that hinted the Colombian striker is creeping, gradually, toward his best.

United fans want to see the player who single-handedly destroyed Chelsea for Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Super Cup in 2012.

He might not be there just yet, but there have been signs in the last two games—against Aston Villa and Newcastle—that those performances are not a thing of the past.

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It will be a relief to Ed Woodward and Louis van Gaal that their gamble looks like it might well pay off.

There was no way of knowing how the 28-year-old would come back from the serious knee injury that ruled him out of last summer's World Cup.

United took a chance, and they may well end up being rewarded.

Falcao could have had a hat-trick in the first half against Newcastle. On another day, if the ball dropped a little differently, he would have.

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But the way he raced around should encourage the United fans that he's not just come to the Premier League to put his feet up.

Having already set up Wayne Rooney's first with a lovely touch, he dived into a challenge to win the ball back. It released Juan Mata, who fed Rooney to score his second of the afternoon. The pass and the finish were wonderfully simple.

And it was Falcao's tackle that started it all. He was like Roy Keane with shoulder-length hair and a headband.

He will, of course, be judged on goals. However, flying into challenges in midfield for the good of your team is a quick way to endear yourself to the manager and the fans.

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It was a move that perfectly encapsulated what Van Gaal is trying to do at United. He's bought some of the best attacking players in the world, but his men are not above working hard.

The Dutchman said after the game United had "dominated" Newcastle for 90 minutes. He was right, and it owed as much to industry and work ethic as it did to skill and technique.

There is a lot of pressure on Van Gaal's attacking players at the moment. The defence is still shaky, creaking every time opposition teams come forward.

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But the hope is that United have so many good forwards that they should be able to outscore anyone. Newcastle got a goal at Old Trafford that always looked like it might come. However, it doesn't matter that much when United are scoring three at other end.

Falcao is an important part of that. If he, Robin van Persie, Rooney and Angel Di Maria can all get themselves 15 goals this season, then United will have had a good season.

Falcao might not have got his goal against Newcastle, but it was the only thing missing from another encouraging performance.

Quotes obtained firsthand.