Radamel Falcao Is the Manchester United Player to Watch in International Week

Manchester United fans are waiting. Waiting for something, anything, to suggest Radamel Falcao is still the player they hoped he was when he arrived on loan from Monaco in the summer.

Time is running out for him to show he deserves to stay at Old Trafford. With only four goals all season, it's looking increasingly likely he'll leave in the summer. United have only got eight games left, and it's not certain he'll start any of them. 

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The fans have always been keen for him to succeed. With memories of him destroying Chelsea in the 2012 Super Cup playing in their heads, it was perhaps the signing they were most excited by in the summer. But he's been a disappointment.

He's still recovering from a serious knee injury, and Louis van Gaal's systems haven't always suited him. But the hard facts are that four goals in 15 starts is not cause to sign a 29-year-old striker for more than £40 million.

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But, for some supporters, there will always be hope. Hope that he can suddenly rediscover some confidence and show flashes of the player he used to be.

He's joined up with the Colombia squad this week for games against Bahrain on Thursday and Kuwait on Monday. And coach Jose Pekerman said, in quotes carried by the Manchester Evening News, that the two matches could be just what he needs.

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It’s a huge problem that we need to resolve. This problem is as large as the sadness that Falcao is going through right now.

I feel I need to support him because I understand how hard it is for him and the difficult moment he is experiencing.

I want to work with him again and help him restore his confidence.

I know Falcao’s strengths, his mentality and his fighting spirit and I’ve never doubted that he’ll come out the other side.

He’s in a bad moment, but he’s looking after himself and this week is going to be very important for him.

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United will be watching if and when Falcao features for his country this week in the way they always do when players leave Carrington to play international football.

A couple of goals against countries ranked 104th and 125th in the FIFA rankings are unlikely to make Van Gaal and Ed Woodward rush to Monaco to seal Falcao's permanent transfer.

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But it would be a step in the right direction. As long as there are games left, there is still time for him to do something, anything, to convince Van Gaal he is a good investment. 

And if a goal or two in an international friendly helps him return to Manchester with renewed belief, then it will have been a trip worth taking...for Falcao and United.