Manchester United Transfer News: Radamel Falcao, Robin van Persie Support Fades

A survey run by the Manchester Evening News has highlighted Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie as players with points to prove to Manchester United supporters.

Almost 6,000 fans were given three options when assessing the future of multiple United stars: sign them up for a long contract, sit on the fence or sell them.

While 96.87 percent of responses indicated David de Gea must be offered a new deal, reported by Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News, neither Falcao nor Van Persie received such a unanimous vote of confidence.

Luckhurst reports that just 33 percent of readers believe Falcao should be signed permanently, with 45.67 percent wanting to wait until the end of the season before deciding. This means 21.33 percent of voters think the on-loan Colombian striker shouldn't receive a full-time deal with the club.

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Falcao has posted performances of varying quality since joining United. His winner against Everton, not to mention draw-snatching strikes against Aston Villa and Stoke, could prove to be pivotal at the end of the season.

With that said, he has netted just once in his last six appearances, per WhoScored.com and struggled to impact matches against Yeovil Town, Queens Park Rangers and Cambridge United.

Meanwhile, Van Persie's form continues to disappoint. He has spent much of the season playing with his back to goal, struggling to hold the ball up in a 3-5-2 formation that somehow leaves him isolated. The Dutchman has offered telling moments of quality—the equaliser against Chelsea and brace to beat Southampton standing out—but the clinical side of his game has diminished.

Sky Sports provided a breakdown of Van Persie's stats compared to United's other strikers:

Luckhurst reports that 39.93 percent of survey respondents are undecided on whether or not Van Persie should stay. More supporters want him to remain at the club than want him to be sold, according to the newspaper's infographic, but exact percentages aren't provided. (It appears roughly 34 percent are for him staying, 26 percent against).

Van Persie himself recently admitted his form hasn't been sharp enough, per United's official website:

"

This year, I have played something like 20 games and I have scored eight goals. I am not happy with that. I want to score more. I will do everything, every day in training and during the games; I will keep doing what I have been doing for the last 10 years to make those goals. It makes so many people happy, including me.

"

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Other tidbits from the Manchester Evening News' survey include 93.69 percent of voters wanting Anderson to leave, with 90.43 percent also pushing Tom Cleverley through the door. Jonny Evans is one of many strugglers in the United back line this season and received a vote of 63.33 percent in favor of him departing.

Louis van Gaal's men face a real scrap for a Champions League spot right now. United currently sit one point ahead of Arsenal in fourth, but will be wary of Liverpool's increasing threat and Southampton's ability to compete with the big boys.

United's next match sees them take on Leicester in a must-win Premier League clash at Old Trafford. Failure to grab three points on Saturday will have many questioning Van Gaal's position, and indeed, his decision not to make major signings during the January transfer window.