Radamel Falcao endured another frustrating afternoon at Old Trafford as his Manchester United team-mates failed to work the ball into positions where the striker was once deadly.
The Colombian kept having to come deep all afternoon and was regularly robbed off possession and it looked like it was just going to be another poor afternoon for the struggling Falcao.
Then, with United drawing 0-0 and Marouane Fellaini ready to come on to cause some chaos, Falcao showed a rare flash of brilliance to control a cross and force John O’Shea into conceding a penalty.
Sunderland were down to ten men and immediately chasing the game and Falcao would have fancied his chances as United started to open up the visitors but, oddly, Louis van Gaal still decided to make the substitution and bring an end to Falcao’s afternoon.
Fans had been frustrated up to that point but it was clear there was sympathy towards ‘El Tigre’ after the decision.
Van Gaal's lack of respect for Falcao shows we won't sign him in the summer. Why pull him off immediately when he wins penalty & v 10 men?
— Nick Dooge (@doogie_nights) February 28, 2015
Here he had a great chance to keep Falcao involved and build his confidence after the lively move and turn to win the penalty. Still sub him
— NewsCarrier (@IamDAnderson91) February 28, 2015
I can't help but feel if Falcao was Van Persie he'd never have been subbed today.
— Pilib de Brún (@Malachians) February 28, 2015
I'm glad the crowd shown our disdain for the substitution and then sung the Falcao song. If we allow him to leave he will score 40 next yr!
— Stephen Howson (@MrStephenHowson) February 28, 2015
Project Falcao has to be on life support by now. Bit of a nightmare for Ed Woodward
— Eugene Wong (@EWHK70) February 28, 2015
Most important point to take from today is that Falcao's done. Time to install Rooney right up top on his own.
— Kev CanTheyScore (@Kev_CTS) February 28, 2015
Falcao has plenty of United fans on his side who are certain he will come good for van Gaal but with the season quickly coming to an end, the Colombian striker doesn’t have too much time left.