Robin van Persie and Radamel Falcao partnership for Manchester United doesn't work, says Jamie Carragher
Former Liverpool defender expects Falcao to leave at end of the season
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Your support makes all the difference.Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie, the Manchester United strike partnership used in the disjointed display against West Ham, doesn't work according to Jamie Carragher. The former Liverpool defender has also said he doesn't expect United to keep Falcao at the club beyond his loan spell.
Carragher was speaking in the aftermath of the 1-1 draw at Upton Park in which United needed a late goal from Daley Blind to salvage a point after a hugely disappointing performance in which Louis van Gaal had to resort to using long-ball tactics as the game went on.
With an almost entirely fit squad to pick from Van Gaal went with Van Persie and Falcao in attack and captain Wayne Rooney playing in midfield. Yet despite the stellar reputations, the trio laboured against West Ham.
"I don't see Falcao staying, it's something they have to address," Carragher said on Sky Sports after the game. "I can't believe (James) Wilson didn't come on at some stage of the game. Falcao and Van Persie lack movement and I don't think this is a partnership that's working.
"Everyone talks about United and that they need a centre-back - they have one of the best defensive records in the league, although (David) De Gea is part of that, but that's the reason you pay him.
"The problems are at the other end of the pitch.
"Rooney's position is not right, he was playing as a defensive midfield player. Why is he (Van Gaal) not putting Rooney up off the front, with two strikers showing such a lack of movement? They had less touches today than De Gea."
Carragher did commend Van Gaal for switching his tactics as the match went on, with Marouane Fellaini coming off the bench and long balls punted forward, something Sam Allardyce admitted his side struggled to cope with.
"It's not luck," Carragher said of Blind's 90th minute goal. "United have done it too often over the years. They've done it again today. How many times have we seen United and they haven't played well and they've still got a result?
"He put Fellaini on and went long. In the past United wouldn't have done that but I admire that. You talk about principles, sometimes you have to change them when it's not working and credit to Van Gaal, he did."
Manchester United's next game is at home to Burnley on Wednesday.
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