Falcao going to Liverpool or Chelsea? It's a pipedream

Had Radamel Falcao started, he would have absolutely thrived; he relies on quick service and that is exactly what United were producing on Sunday.

He did get a chance when he entered the fray late in the game - but by then, United were just trying to kill it off and lower the tempo, so he struggled again.

Yet, make no mistake: he is a player of the highest calibre. It is little surprise that despite his apparent struggles at United a host of clubs are still interested in signing him, including Chelsea and Liverpool.

There's just one problem: neither move makes any sense for the Colombian.

In the position he is in, could he trust Jose Mourinho to give him a run in the team?

Not a chance. With Diego Costa there he wold be another Loic Remy, a bit-part player at best.

As for Liverpool? Nice idea, but they are not quite big enough a club for Falcao; he must be looking for more than that. And being ex-United it's unlikely the fans would take to him – especially if he did not hit the ground running.

It is great talk for Liverpool, though: even the suggestion that they can attract players of his quality shows that they are moving forward .

To be frank, both moves are pipedreams. A move overseas beckons if he does not make the grade at United.

Falcao has been on the periphery of the United team and it was other bit part players who were central to United’s play on Sunday: Juan Mata and Ander Herrera. United went there as underdogs but those two helped United to their most impressive performance at Anfield in many a year – and I include some great Sir Alex teams in that too.

Key to their performance was continuity. As a player it is important to know that if you play well you will keep your place in the side, and all too often this season that just has not happened. Players need to feel wanted and respected.

Herrera and Mata suddenly play two games on the bounce and United’s performance level spikes. Mata can pick out passes that no other player can, and he has to start there ahead of Wayne Rooney – Rooney brings power and urgency but gives you little guile. Herrera, meanwhile, gives you the required tenacity in the middle.

Mata and Herrera pass and move at speed. They lend the ball to people and want it back immediately – it was all very different to how predictable they have been for most of the season, when they have been very obvious going forward.

Liverpool had been the form team of 2015 – 33 points from a possible 39 - but this is not to say that United are now a shoo-in for the top four. Louis van Gaal can by all means rotate but needs to keep the spine of the teams as consistent as possible. If he makes five or six changes then United will be back at square one.

The defence continues to look like an area of weakness. Antonio Valencia is not a right-back but Van Gaal must not rate Rafael; and at the centre of defence Chris Smalling and Phil Jones continue to look capable of the odd error. Daley Blind gave the season’s best performance at left back – good defensively and incisive going forward.

As for Liverpool? There are questions that need to be answered; first of which is about the three-man defence. It has ushered in more defensive security since Liverpool were eliminated from Europe but, in the long term, three-man defences just do not work in the Premier League.

Furthermore, the set up saw Raheem Sterling positioned in a wing back position where he was ineffectual. Given that Liverpool are trying to convince him to sign a new deal, that seems a particularly peculiar decision.