Manchester United News: Former Liverpool Boss Criticises Van Gaal For Signing Falcao And Di Maria

Former Liverpool boss Graeme Souness was critical about Louis van Gaal's recent signings in Angel di Maria and Radamel Falcao, insisting that they will find it hard to be effective as Red Devils.

The former FC Barelona mentor is adamant in employing the 3-5-2 in spite of accumulating only two points out of the three outings by the Red Devils in the Premier League, aside from the shameful exit in the Capital One Cup in the hands of MK Dons.

Di Maria's position on the pitch and Falcao's health are what he perceives as hindrances to realizing their respective potentials.

"Di Maria is too much of a winger to play as a wing-back so he would play one position inside the widest man in a 3-5-2," he wrote on The Sunday Times.

"If you play with a back four, you can play him wide, as Argentina did when he made three goals and scored the other in their 4-2 win over Germany [on Wednesday]."

"There is a question-mark against Radamel Falcao as well. He tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee in January and missed the World Cup."

"The words 'cruciate ligament injury' still strike fear into players and would-be buyers because, once you have had one, it can lead to the loss of a yard of pace and restrict the twisting of the knee because it doesn't feel as secure."

"Up front is the hardest place to play and that's where you must have all your agility and pace. There's never a great age to get that injury but, the later it happens to you, the harder it is to come back from. Falcao is 28."

The duo have reportedly cost the Old Trafford outfit a total of £73million, and supporters as well as the United hierarchy will be expecting an instant turnaround from Van Gaal. Otherwise, he might be prematurely shown the exit doors.

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