Manchester United Transfer Rumours: Radamel Falcao Admits Red Devils Mistake

Radamel Falcao is "resigned" to departing Manchester United at the end of the season, according to Ian Ladyman of the Daily Mail.

Falcao, who joined the Red Devils on loan from Monaco in September, has posted a disappointing return of four goals in 17 Premier League appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Ladyman reports that Falcao's camp now realises it was a mistake to pick Louis van Gaal's side. Ladyman writes, "Sources close to the Colombian striker [are] now convinced the 29-year-old simply joined the wrong club last summer." John Cross of the Daily Mirror believes United's likely decision to ditch the player will fund two new strikers.

This suggestion fuels speculation United won't exercise their option to buy Falcao at the end of the campaign. He currently sets the club back £265,000 per week and would be permanently available for £43.5 million. It would be a major risk to drop such a sum on the struggling player, particularly after his recent run of injuries and poor form.

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Cross believes Falcao "is heading for the exit door." Monaco may struggle to find suitors who will stump up the aforementioned sum; if he had been signed on a permanent deal, each of his Premier League goals would have cost United over £10 million.

Ladyman's sources indicate Falcao was in "total shock" over being relegated to United's under-21 side on Tuesday. He failed to make it off the bench during the senior team's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Arsenal the night before despite United's desperate search for a goal.

In fact, he hasn't represented the first team since being sacrificed with 20 minutes to go after winning the breakthrough penalty in the victory over Sunderland on Feb. 28. David McDonnell of the Daily Mirror suggests Falcao's appearance away from the limelight didn't go according to plan:

The former Atletico Madrid striker certainly hasn't lived up to his billing, and it's difficult to pinpoint exactly why. Granted, his serious pre-World Cup knee injury could still limit his play. He appears physically weak and unable to shake off defenders, while Van Gaal's side has struggled to feed him consistent chances.

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United don't play to his strengths and no longer employ the overlapping wing play that would see the ball accurately pinged across the box under Sir Alex Ferguson. Van Gaal appears determined to ensure his team possesses an aerially dominant outlet in the final third, hence his decision to stick with Marouane Fellaini and the long-ball tactics his presence naturally brings.

It's likely Falcao moving on would work out best for all involved. He will still crave UEFA Champions League football, something United are going to struggle to achieve with their testing run of remaining fixtures. United will also be wary of creating a Fernando Torres-style situation—paying heavily for a player who quickly loses his quality—and may heed the warning signs.

B/R UK's Ryan Bailey and Guillem Balague recently discussed the potential signing of another forward:

If Van Gaal affords him the chance, Falcao has 10 games left to prove his worth. Securing United a top-four place with a handful of goals could change the general sense that he will move on. Falcao has been one of Europe's premier scorers over the last few years, but there's much work to do if he's going to discover his old self.

Van Gaal and United fans will be hoping this happens before it's too late.