It has just not worked out for Radamel Falcao at Manchester United. The lucrative £5 million one-year loan-deal from Monaco, with a subsequent option to buy, looked a great move at the start of the season, but has turned out to be one big flop-show.

The Colombian striker, who was widely regarded as one of the most prolific strikers in Europe over the last few seasons, has looked a shadow of his former self, scoring just four goals in all competitions this season at Old Trafford. The anterior cruciate ligament injury he suffered last year has left him a completely different player, and he has not managed to reach the heights he did with Porto and Atletico Madrid.

Now, Falcao is well aware that his time at United is drawing to a close. Sources close to Manchester United have stated that the Colombian has realised that he has no future at the club. The Red Devils have an option to make his move permanent in the summer, but will have to pay £43 million to do so. It is highly unlikely that they spend such a large amount on a player who has failed to prove himself. Even though Falcao reportedly loves England, an elongated stay in the Premier League looks close to impossible.

The striker was demoted to the U21’s this week, featuring against the youngsters of Tottenham Hotspur. He put in another poor performance, and was substituted after 71 minutes. His chances of making the starting line-up in the game against Spurs’ senior side on Sunday are close to zero.

While it is difficult to say where his future destination will be, the Manchester Evening News has stated that Valencia may be interested in securing his services. The La Liga side, bought last year by Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim, can afford to pay the huge fee to sign him, along with matching his weekly wages of £265,000. United, who are currently paying this monumental figure to Falcao, are hardly getting anything in return.

Louis Van Gaal’s face a real fight to finish in the top 4 and even though they are currently in the Champions League places, their shaky performances of late don’t offer too much conviction. Add to that the fact that they yet have to play Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and Liverpool, and their chances suffer a further hit.

The lack of a genuine goalscorer has been all too apparent for United this season, and the replacement that they bring in for Falcao has to be a good one. Names linked with a move to the Theatre of Dreams include Paris Saint-Germain’s Edinson Cavani and PSG Eindhoven’s Memphis Depay.