Strange times indeed at Manchester United. We heard the away fans at Queens Park Rangers on Saturday urging their highly decorated manager to change his system from three at the back to 4-4-2. Running in conjunction, we witnessed the confusing sight of Phil Jones being asked to take some corners, as if he was the best dead-ball deliverer available and his physical presence in the box was not deemed necessary.
Meanwhile, the most expensive loan signing in football history resumed his quest to earn a proper contract. The relationship between Louis van Gaal and Radamel Falcao continues to intrigue. The United manager refuses to shy away in press conferences from being blunt, whilst the striker gamely runs around in matches trying to impress.
At the moment, however, it does not look to be enough. Three goals can hardly justify extortionate wages, nor the high loan fee handed over to Monaco. You expect something exceptional for that sort of outlay and, for all his endeavour, Falcao has so far failed to come up with the goods.
Events at Loftus Road only confirmed the narrative. Falcao's movement was good, as were his instincts. Only the agility of Robert Green and the sliding foot of Steven Caulker prevented the forward from adding to his meagre tally.
And his attitude was good, despite Van Gaal's insistence in publically adding fuel to the fire. Some in such circumstances might stick out their bottom lip, withdraw full labour in the hope another club will surely take them. Falcao, however, does not look that sort. A suspect knee might possibly be holding him back but his spirit, from the outside at least, seems in good nick.
Mind you, Van Gaal is looking for a lot more than that. The right attitude is great but 19 year-old James Wilson, a scorer here, is also quite keen, as are a number of other characters. The Dutchman understandably demands world-class performances from a player enjoying world-class renumeration.
In fairness to Falcao, it is not easy reaching such heady levels in a stuttering team showing few signs of developing a coherent playing style, especially after the manager left you out of the last squad entirely. But reach them he must, you would think, if a contract is to be offered. Either that or his free-talking agent, Jorge Mendes, has got to get real by lowering his demands for a 28-year-old who might just have already enjoyed his peak years.
That is a distinct possibility after Falcao suffered serious cruciate knee ligament damage at Monaco. With a lot of miles on the clock already, the Colombian star may never again emulate the energetic brilliance seen at Atlético Madrid. But harsh realities like that tend to be accepted by everyone else first. The player and his close confidantes continue to think big as the world starts to look elsewhere for their heroes.
So all eyes on United to see if they follow suit. In the meantime, the clock starts to tick. With 16 league games left at most to prove his worth, Falcao must somehow turn back that clock to a time when he regularly terrorised defences. If he cannot, Old Trafford inevitably turns elsewhere in its efforts to clamber back up to the top.
Mixed messages for Arsenal bench-warmers
Two things: Francis Coquelin had to sit on the bench a couple of times when he spent a month on loan at Charlton earlier this season. With Arsène Wenger disregarding the midfielder, the young Frenchman's career was floundering. It is not now. After a hugely impressive performance against Manchester City, this conscientious anchorman has boosted his reputation no end. If Arsenal ultimately do not want him, another Premier League team surely will. Secondly, Santi Cazorla's man-of-the-match display pointed the way forward for someone sitting on the bench. Mesut Özil, a similar type of playmaker, must start dominating games like Cazorla when he gets the chance.
Tottenham acquire Gunners habit
Arsenal fans used to joke that if you want to find out the score of the North London derby, dial 2-1 2-1 2-1, so often did the Gunners win by that margin. This season Tottenham have commandeered that scoreline more widely, winning seven league games by the odd goal. It is a great habit to acquire, that ability to pinch victory in a tight match. And in Christian Eriksen, Spurs boast a match winner of real quality.
Careful Costa gives Chelsea added value
When Chelsea bought Diego Costa and Filipe Luis from Atlético Madrid, they were obviously acquiring two very talented players. But Jose Mourinho also knew that he was buying an attitude, a fiercely determined one impressively instilled by Diego Simeone. Responsibility in possession is part of the package. Costa, in particular, rarely gives the ball away. That stood out at Swansea as much as his two goals.
Collins blow slams door on Reid exit
If Winston Reid had any designs on leaving West Ham this month, that might have gone up in smoke when James Collins did his back in on Sunday against Hull City. Even though Reid is out of contract this summer, Sam Allardyce would not want to leave himself short in central defence. Mind you, the owners might view it differently. Loath to let the player leave for nothing, they could override Allardyce by taking the cash.
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