Falcao swoops in as United splash out

Manchester United’s scattergun approach to the transfer window, which has seen chief executive Ed Woodward widely lambasted, delivered an unexpected bullseye on deadline day with the arrival of Radamel Falcao, but also delivered a risky potential sale of Danny Welbeck to top-six rivals Arsenal that drew criticism from Old Trafford fans.

United’s capture of Colombian striker Falcao on loan from Monaco with a view to a permanent cut-price €54m deal next year, dominated headlines on a frantic deadline day which saw Premier League clubs take spending in the entire summer window beyond €1 billion.

United, who suffered so badly last season when David Moyes failed in bids for Cesc Fabregas, Wesley Sneijder, Leighton Baines, Ander Herrera and Sami Khedira, were clearly determined not to make the same mistakes a year on, even if at times their transfer policy has appeared to lack structure or a consistent vision.