Van Gaal will let us know if Falcao has a future at Manchester United this weekend

Falcao should be in contention for starting XI against Aston Villa this weekend.

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If ever there was an opportunity for Louis Van Gaal to prove the loan signing of Radamel Falcao has not been a complete waste of time and money – it has to be this weekend against Aston Villa.

The Columbian striker who is on a season-long loan from French side Monaco has certainly not had the best of times at Old Trafford; scoring a measly four goals in 22 appearances for the side.

A campaign blighted by injury; combined with a severe loss of confidence whilst playing in side who change their system on a weekly basis making it near impossible for strikers to adapt to any particular style – the man known as El Tigre has, if the papers are to be believed, been reduced to tears over his time spent in Manchester and will be on his way back to the principality at the first given opportunity.

However, despite the negativity surrounding the 29 year old – there is still a glimmer of hope that he could carve out a permanent career at Manchester United, but for now, it completely depends on the manager.

During the international break, Columbia have played fixtures against Kuwait and Bahrain in which Falcao scored three times, equalling the all-time goal scoring record for his country, demonstrating he clearly remembers where the back of the net is.

Granted, the opposition was not of the best quality, but having struggled so badly against the likes of Yeovil and Cambridge in the FA Cup earlier this season – a goal is a goal; and goals brings confidence; which is just what Falcao needs at this moment.

Assuming the hitman returns to Old Trafford full of life and enthusiasm, perhaps Louis Van Gaal might do the unthinkable and offer the former Porto and Atletico Madrid man a starting place at home to Villa at the expense of the once ‘un-droppable’ Wayne Rooney.

In recent weeks, United have found a style which has been good enough to not only beat Spurs and Liverpool, but done in a dominant and convincing way – which has had club captain, Rooney, as a lone striker with Belgian Marouane Fellaini playing just behind him.

United are playing their best football in almost two years so whilst Van Gaal will not want to change his winning formula, he might be tempted to make the straight swap of Rooney for Falcao.

Of course no manager desires to change something which is working so well, and with Rooney scoring for England during this international break also – it will be argued by many, in no uncertain terms that he needs to remain in the Manchester United starting XI.

In previous weeks, the understanding between Daley Blind, Ashley Young and Fellaini down the left hand side has been a revelation with all three players thoroughly deserving of keeping their starting places.

Yet with Rooney having missed a penalty at Liverpool, and not playing as well as he can – might there be a bold swap on the agenda for this coming weekend?