Falcao? We should ask what would Fergie do?

JANIE TINKLENBERG, a youth group leader from Holland in Michigan, used to begin her bible classes by asking her students a question. It was taken from a collection of sermons published in 1896 entitled In His Steps. “What,” Tinklenberg asked, “would Jesus do?”

This lesson grew into a grassroots evangelical Christian movement and, as is the modern way, a collection of bracelets. “WWJD?” read the message.

They might consider a similar approach at Manchester United, leaning on the wisdom of a spiritual leader to guide the club through its stumbles and missteps. “WWFD?” – What Would Fergie Do?

And here’s something he wouldn’t do. He wouldn’t buy Radamel Falcao,

Not permanently. Not now. Not if his previous actions are anything to go by.

For Falcao, read Carlos Tevez. It was the 2008-09 season when Manchester United were last faced with the issue of converting a loan to a permanent transfer. Sir Alex Ferguson was the manager, £25million the fee.

He stalled, delaying to the extent that a frustrated Tevez gestured to the Old Trafford directors’ box after scoring a goal against Manchester City.

In his autobiography, Ferguson claims Tevez told him, “You never showed any great desire to sign me permanently” after the Champions League final in Rome.

This would display a firmer command of the English language than Tevez publicly exhibited during his seven years in the Premier League, but it does chime with the feeling at the time.

Tevez’s adviser, Kia Joorabchian, thought that his loan deal should have been made permanent after the first year, but Ferguson bought Dimitar Berbatov instead.

Ferguson then played for time throughout the second season when Joorabchian sought completion. Ultimately, Manchester United made an offer – but only once it became known that Tevez was about to sign for their great rivals, Manchester City.

Ferguson says Tevez often had a positive effect on games, even from the bench, so why the reticence? Perhaps because £ 25m is an awful lot of money to pay for a player whose impact has already been felt. That also applies now.

A major player, like Falcao, should re-energise the club. Players in his position should redouble their efforts to stay in the team, others should draw inspiration from his presence.

Imagine the ripples if Lionel Messi did come to the Premier League. The whole squad of his new club would be standing to attention on the day he walked through the door, anxious to impress.

Being in Falcao’s company should carry a little of that pride. He is acknowledged as one of the world’s great goalscorers. The news of his signing created the biggest buzz of the pre-season. And now it is gone.

Falcao has scored just three goals in his 13 games for United and has the poorest shot-conversion rate of any of the club’s forwards, including young James Wilson.

Despite this, it will still cost £43m to make his loan arrange- ment permanent. Tevez was a snip by comparison.

If Falcao’s record was equal to that of Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney – who both have eight goals this season – the value would be questionable.

But there is no fillip in a converted loan. The excitement, the momentum, comes on first sight, not with the ratification of paperwork.

Last season, Romelu Lukaku was Chelsea’s player and scoring a goal every 2.2 games for Everton. This season, Everton are £25m lighter, Lukaku is theirs and his strike rate has dropped to 3.3.

There are many reasons for this but there is no doubt the permanent acquisition of Lukaku did not contain the same spark as his loan last season. A new arrival for £ 25m would have offered fresh possibilities – changing Lukaku’s circumstances, there was nothing new to see.

Emmanuel Adebayor came to Tottenham Hotspur on loan from Manchester City, made a flying start and now, as a permanent member of staff, gets booed on to the pitch.

It is a curious dynamic. Tevez went to Manchester City and won the league and is now on course for his second title at Juventus.

It is very possible Falcao could be a roaring success elsewhere if United pass this summer. But at Old Trafford. WWFD? He’d be saving that £43m for some new kind of kick. – Daily Mail